#yes I am that delusional but I called it before with other shows and even realistically speaking it'd make sense

[jackabbot]

I think this episode had a deleted scene of Eddie and Buck co-parenting Christopher or them talking about how Eddie and Ana had different ideas about how to treat Chris.

Especially since the whole episode was centered around parent-kid type of relationships and we've seen Christopher exactly zero times in the entire episode until that 3 seconds at the end.

Which feels very odd to me, considering what a big part of Eddie's character is that he's a single dad and how the next season literally starts with him having a panic attack about becoming a family with Ana. (And that if they're gonna pay the actors for appearances, they might as well give them some screentime to make their money's worth, right?)

I mean, it's clear that they are both referring to something specific yet we aren't shown what that is. It might've been something setting up the will and more buddie down the line, but after editing it might've came off too strong and on the nose, so they scrapped it.

(Which would then play into my other delusion that buddie was gonna go semi-canon at the end of season 6 and if so, then it might have had something to do with why Fox went and dropped one of, if not their MOST watched show(s) and biggest money maker and gave it to a rival network.)

[karikarasuno]

part four | part five | part six

flowers. law buys you flowers as a thank you for taking care of him. he doesn't even know if you like flowers, but he saw the bouquet at the grocery store and figured it wouldn't hurt.

unfortunately, now he feels awkward. he's never been one to overthink. analytical, yes, but never nervous that he's going to do or say the wrong thing. when it comes to you, though, he finds it hard to concentrate. he very oddly wants to impress you. he also really enjoys the way you feel comfortable relying on him.

so, of course, he hesitates knocking on your door with the bouquet held firmly in his strong grip. what if you don't like them? or worse, what if you're allergic? he shouldn't feel embarrassed by the thought, but he does.

whatever. he's got nothing else to lose, so he rings your doorbell. you're breathless when you answer like he interrupted something. and he could have given the fact that your clothes look thrown on, your tank top sitting slightly askew on your chest and he has to fight the heat crawling up his neck at the fact that you're not wearing a bra.

"hi!" you breathe out with a friendly smile, adjusting your shirt when you notice. "how are you feeling?"

"good," he clears his throat when his voice breaks, "better."

"i healed you," you nod with a sly smile, hand rising to lay flat over your heart. the sight makes him chuckle. you always make it so easy for him to relax. to just feel normal.

"guess you're the real doctor around here." he stretches the hand holding the flowers to you and he watches as your eyes light up and a slight blush tints your cheeks.

both of your hands rise to cover his and you lean over to sniff the side closest to you. "i'm glad someone's finally noticed how talented i am."

you wink at him over the bouquet and he fights a smile. "i'm assuming these are for me?"

you take the flowers from him, delicately touching the petals. he only nods, shuffling a bit in your doorway. timid.

"how'd you know these were my favorite?"

"lucky guess," he shrugs, but something twists in his chest. pride, maybe. or perhaps it's something deeper. something sappier. something he hasn't felt in quite a long time. "it's a small thanks for everything you did."

"well, if you really wanna show me your gratitude i think i have something else in mind." your eyes wander down his body shamelessly. he tries not to tense up at the implication. but excitement drops low and heavy in his gut.

"my tv recently stopped working and the new one just came in..." you take a step back, beckoning for him to follow you inside. his eyes follow yours to the living room where a wide box stands in the center. he knows exactly what you want and he can't help but laugh.

"now you're just using me," he says with a shake of his head, but he still closes the door behind him. he still walks over to the large box even though you're heading towards your kitchen with the flowers. there's already a mount on your wall from the last tv, so this isn't a tough task. just a quick replacement.

"hey, it's not my fault," you call out from the kitchen, but he can't see you. "i could ask one of the guys to do it, but they're not as reliable as you."

that makes him feel good. until he registers the word guys. "what guys?"

he bristles. he has no right to feel this way. to be jealous. he'd be delusional to think he's the only man in your life.

"well i used to get kid to do this stuff, but he's useless and i hate him," you laugh. he warms at your disdain for your ex. "usually i get zoro to do it, but he's forgetful. franky on the other hand is super good at this stuff, but he doesn't go anywhere without robin and that makes scheduling tricky since we're all so busy most of the time."

you come over carrying a vase, showing off the bouquet pleased before setting it in the center of your dining table. he watches as you keep spinning the vase until you like the way it looks, nodding in satisfaction when you're done fiddling with it. cute.

"but you, on the other hand," you twirl to face him, "you're always around exactly when i need you."

his entire body warms up. law likes being needed. and you in particular are always so needy.

"i'm always happy to help," he says, grabbing the scissors you're holding out to him and slicing the tape to open the box. you plop on the recliner beside him, just watching as he removes plastic and styrofoam. your gaze is attentive. there's clear tension sparking between the two of you, but he ignores it. because he has a task to complete.

"hold the box for me so i can pull this out." he grips each end of the tv firmly but with care. you slide off the recliner, kneeling in front of him as you reach for the box. the position you put yourself in does not go unnoticed by him. he's positive it's intentional on your end, especially when you look up at him, eyes big and brows furrowing just slightly.

"like this?" the question itself is riddled in innocence. but he knows you well enough now. he knows what game you're playing, but until now his role in it has been passive.

"yeah, just like that." he keeps his tone neutral, but encouraging. you bite back a smile, pursing your lips to one side as you glance away from him. his keeps his own smile to himself, pleased by your reaction, before rolling his shoulders back and lifting the television out the box.

he asks for your assistance one more time just to hook the tv onto the mount on the wall. it's bigger than your last one and takes up most of the wall across from your couch. it's really nice.

"here," you hand him the remote as soon as he sits on the sofa. mindlessly he starts to set it up for you, flipping through the pamphlet that came with it. he knows you're watching him. your body is curled up on the cushion beside him. neither of you say anything though. but he can tell what you're thinking. because he's thinking it too.

honestly it's all he can really think about. he’s touched himself countless times to the thought of you with your thighs around his head. with your hands in his hair. with your lips on his neck. he’s thought of you on his drives to work, in the shower, in the brief moments before sleep catches him. it’s annoying the amount of space you take up in his mind.

you shift beside him, knees grazing his thigh as you move closer to him. the smell of whatever you’re wearing on your skin reaches his nose. the memory of you in his bed, beneath him and moaning his name, is triggered by the scent.

“what’s your email?” he clears his throat, eyes trained on the screen before him.

“hm?”

“to set up your account i need your email,” his eyes betray him as they move to glance at you. it was a mistake. your head is tilted and your breaths are steady but they’re so deep your chest rises and falls heavily. his eyes betray him again when they glance down. your boobs are pressed together, your nipples are poking hard against the thin material of your top. it’s cold in here, he reasons.

you start spelling out your email address, but law’s distracted. he misses a letter, you laugh, he corrects it, but then he misses another one.

“let me do it,” you chuckle when you see he’s clearly struggling. but he instinctively pulls the remote out of your reach.

“i got it this time,” he says, pointing the remote at the tv again. he’s not looking at you for the sole purpose of concentration.

“i’m starting to think you can’t spell my name,” you reach over his body to try and take the remote from him again, but he swats your hand away. it’s a playful back and forth, but you become more insistent. his hand grasps your wrist to push you away, but your shin finds his thigh. you’re practically in his lap.

he tosses the remote to the other side of the couch, grabbing your thigh with his free hand and swinging your leg to rest on the other side of his hip. straddling him.

“is this what you wanted?” he teases, his hand resting on the top of your thigh as yours comes to his shoulder.

“i don’t know what you mean,” you feign innocence, but your eyes are locked onto his lips. law rubs his thumb gently on the inside of your wrist. and if he glances down, which he won’t, he would see how close your chest is to his lips. “i wanted the remote.”

“right, so then how did we end up here?” his eyes are trained on your face. the tension is so thick it’s almost tangible. like he could grab onto it and mold it in his hands. he watches as you swallow. your lips part to say something but for once you’re at a loss for words.

“you tell me,” you whisper, leaning forward so that your forehead comes to rest against his. you really are too much. he’s never felt as drawn to anyone as he does you. you’re inescapable. it’s almost annoying except for the fact that it seems as though you want him just as badly.

his hand slides up your thigh until his fingers are wrapped around your hip and his thumb is pressing into the crease where your hip and thigh meet. he hears your sigh stutter out from between your lips. your eyes are closed now and you relax into him. you seat yourself fully into his lap instead of hovering politely like you were a few seconds ago. your breath smells like coffee. another addiction he can’t seem to rid himself of.

you kiss him softly at first. kind of shy. as if you’re testing his resolve. your lips tenderly meet his like you’re trying to share a secret with him, but you can’t quite get it out.

“i think,” he releases your wrist and moves to cradle the side of your neck instead, pulling you in closer, “you should kiss me like you mean it.”

something snaps between you at his words. a string pulled so tightly the strands shred and fray as your lips slot harshly between his. suddenly you’re holding urgency in your hands. you tug at him. your fingers seem to be everywhere all at once. and if he wasn’t as desperate for you, he’d hardly be able to keep up.

your tongue slips between his lips and licks into his mouth. a moan crawls its way up his throat when you grind down on him. your hands are quick where they pop the button on his jeans, far more agile than he expects when they pull the zipper down.

“wait,” he says against your lips as you begin to reach beneath his underwear. he’s surprised by your whine of impatience. amused when you huff an annoyed “i can’t.”

“ok,” he relents with a chuckle, bracing his hands on your hips. “go ahead.”

you kiss him again, sloppier than the last as you finally wrap your fingers around him. “oh, law.” he can’t breathe. not well at least with the way you stroke him. there’s added pressure from the confined space. and his cock is drooling with precum as it smears against your palm.

his hand rises to hold the back of your head, tilting it to deepen the kiss. his fingers tangle in your hair and he groans when you circle his tip as best you can in the tight space.

“lemme taste you,” you mumble out between kisses.

“what?” his mind is mush, his thoughts are broken and nonsensical. it takes him a second too long to process your request. instead you’re slipping off of his lap and sliding down to kneel between his parted legs.

“what’re you doing?” it’s a stupid question. he doesn’t even know why he asked because your fingers are already hooking into his pants and underwear and slowly trying to tug them down.

“what i’ve been dying to do.” you look up at him, pupils lust-blown and gaze hopeful. he lifts his hips just a bit to help you free him. your eyes widen when you see him. hard and reddened and aching. his cock twitches in response. his breath is caught in his chest and his abs are tightened in a way that’s almost painful.

you take him in your hand. your touch is gentle, exploratory. you stroke him slowly but your grip is firm and he’s biting back a groan that threatens to erupt from his chest.

your lips are next. they follow the path of your hand, featherlight as you drag them from base to tip. he can’t tear his eyes away from you. your tongue sweeps across your bottom lip, inadvertently licking his head just barely. but that alone has his hips jumping in your hold.

you conceal a smile. one that he catches a glimpse of before those same lips part and you take him into your mouth. you sigh out a small moan. almost of relief as your eyes drift shut and you start working him with both your mouth and hand. you take your time. spit starts seeping out from the corners of your lips as you continue to take him deeper.

nothing he could have ever imagined comes close to this. your tongue presses against his shaft and you swallow around him. this time he can’t hold back the noise that escapes his mouth. it’s deep and guttural and he watches it wash over you with a distinct shudder.

it only serves to spur you on. you start working him faster. your head bobbing as your hand meets each motion fervently.

he sees your other hand slip between your thighs. he can’t see what you’re doing but the action makes his hips buck and you gag around him.

“hah, shit,” law moans, his face is burning and his skin is so hot yet there’s goosebumps littering his arms. “are you touching yourself?”

“kinda hard not to,” you say, a string of spit connecting you to his dick as you pull away. your eyes are glassy from the tears that line your lashes. when you lean back in your tongue meets him first, licking a stripe along the back of him until his tip is pressed against the flat of your tongue. you look up at him with big wet eyes and he’s starting to lose it. his control.

law’s hand finds its way into your hair again, his fingers curl against your scalp gently, testing your limits. when you don’t make an effort to tell him to stop he balls his hand into a loose fist. he applies just enough pressure to make you whine, and when he tugs on your hair your eyes roll back.

he can’t do it anymore. his resolve crumbles into ashes as you light him on fire. your lips suck his cock back into your mouth. warm and wet and so skilled. he’s nearly envious of any man who’s had you before him. he can’t even stand the thought, especially when your fingers, covered in your own slick come up from between your legs to massage his balls.

“fuck, that’s-,” his words are failing him. law can’t even think with your mouth on him. “fuck, you’re gonna-,”

he’s so close. both of his hands are now practically knotted into your hair, following hopelessly as you continue your onslaught of sucking and licking. you moan around him every time his breath catches in his throat, or whenever his cock twitches against your tongue, or whenever he pulls a little harder on your hair.

it’s positively ridiculous how easily you’re unraveling him. he’s been so pent up, so frustrated, for weeks. law doesn’t need anyone. he’s fine on his own. but he needs you. he craves you in a way that feels dangerously addictive.

your name tumbles off of his tongue clumsily. the syllables disjointed as his orgasm rips down his spine, his voice nothing but crunching gravel. your hand grips his thigh when he comes, your nails scraping against denim as he unloads into your mouth. he doesn’t mean to hold you there. really.

but he can’t help the state that he’s in. that you put him in. he’s nothing but base instinct. something close to a whimper plucks at his vocal chords as you swallow every last drop until there’s nothing left for him to give you.

his back meets the cushion of your sofa again when he finally comes down. when the rush finally dies off and all that’s left is syrupy endorphins shooting through his veins. his breaths leave his mouth in hurried, pathetic puffs.

his vision is blurry but he can still make you out. you look a mess with your lips swollen and wet. your lashes are clumped together with tears. your hair is a nest from where his fingers pulled and twisted.

“i don’t think you realize how sexy you are,” you say, your voice is hoarse and you’re wiping at your lips with your fingers.

law pulls you into his lap again, clutching at your biceps until you follow his wordless request.

“it’s not me,” he murmurs, kissing you once you’re seated. “it’s you.”

his kiss travels to your jaw, open-mouthed. “you make me like this and i couldn’t even tell you why.”

he peppers wet kisses down to your neck, burying his face there as you move to give him more access. you’re so pliant in his grip again, your body just melting into him as he mouthes at your collarbone. he could do this forever. just gripping you wherever he can, tasting wherever you allow him to.

“you’re one to talk,” your voice is barely above a whisper, just wistful interest, “i can’t stop thinking about you. it’s like you’re haunting me.”

he chuckles into your perfumed skin, your words resonating strongly. he does feel haunted by you. your laugh, your wittiness, your body. he’s so ready to take this further. to undress you. to pleasure you in every way he can.

but his phone rings. you groan in annoyance. so he ignores it, deciding it’s much more worth his time to slip the strap of your tank top off your shoulder with his teeth. he likes the way it makes you shiver.

he urges you closer to him with his hand on the small of your back, plastering you to him. his lips dip lower, kissing the top of your breast as you sigh.

“mmm,” you hum, your fingers curling in his t shirt when he bites the tender fat of your chest.

but just as he’s about to venture lower, like he so badly wants, his phone rings again.

“jesus,” he grits out, fishing his phone out of his back pocket.

“don’t answer it,” you complain, all soppy and pitiful and his dick hardens just a bit again.

“it’s the hospital,” he says, knowing he has to answer since they called twice.

“hello.” it’s shachi. one of law’s high risk patients is having some post surgery complications and he has to go in. he’s disappointed to say the least.

“i gotta go,” he says, forehead pressed to your sternum to avoid the look he knows you’re wearing.

“i thought you were off today,” you say, whiny again and he really doesn’t know why your petulance turns him on so much.

“i’m on call.” you pull back to make eye contact with him and you look kind of angry. he physically has to remove you from his lap to keep from kissing you again. so he tosses you onto the seat next to him as you continue to glare in his direction.

“i’m going to scream,” you say, and law laughs. “i’m being serious. if we get interrupted one more time i’m gonna purposely get hit by a car because maybe we’ll finally fuck if i’m in a hospital bed.”

“that’s not funny,” he stands, shaking his head as he tucks himself back into his pants. you attempt to kick at his leg, but he catches your ankle before it makes contact, his hand bunching up the fabric of your cartoon pajama pants.

“are these men’s pants?” his brow furrows because he just noticed them.

“yes,” you yank your ankle back to no avail since law’s grip is strong.

“your ex’s?”

“ew no,” you yank your leg again, “i got them from walmart because they looked comfy.”

he drops your leg and it lands heavily on your couch as he moves to zip up his jeans.

“oh my god, are you jealous?” the delight in your tone doesn’t go over his head, instead it grates over his ears shockingly loud.

“no,” he lies because he honestly doesn’t understand why he even feels this way. he’s getting far too attached to you too quickly.

“oh you so are and if i wasn’t so sexually frustrated i’d totally give you shit for it.” you’re propped up on your elbows, grinning from ear to ear at him. well, at least you’re just as crazy as he is.

“i’m leaving,” he tosses a throw pillow at you and it bounces off your head. your laugh muffled by it, all maniacal and endearing.

“have fun at work,” you taunt, wiggling your fingers goodbye at him as he makes it to your front door.

“have fun alone,” he teases back, knowing exactly what condition he’s leaving you in.

“i’ll try,” you pout, staring at him through your lashes. “but my vibrator doesn’t compare to your mouth.”

he rolls his eyes, but a smirk tugs at his lips anyway. “next time.”

“no, next time you’re fucking me or else i might actually die.”

part seven

[kanmom51]

Chapter 3 in the making

Traveling together to "film a show" was big (yes, this was to film a show, but we all know it was mainly to spend much needed time together, and if we didn't, let's be honest that we did, but if we didn't, then JK literally confirmed this for us in episode 1 of AYS). But back in 2023 when a public Jikook was a scarcity, left us with more question marks than anything else as to how this will actually be coming to fruition.

Enlisting together was HUGE. Like H U G E. Them being the only ones to do so not only within BTS but the first and only idols to do so. A choice made by the two of them. To do this together. With each other. Not with anyone else.

Are You Sure?! Do we need any words here? Like really? Because AYS was as loud as F$@&. No, seriously, idk what you want to call it, a soft launch, a smack in the noggin, whatever you do, it was quite clear to those who have eyes and a brain. With or without knowing who JM and JK are, their history, their culture. Louder to those who do know them.

Since their enlistment and even through Muse and AYS we got practically nothing from the two. Oh, we did have a couple of interesting pics from their basic training and graduation, a few pics from the unit, a shit ton of signatures, some more interesting than others (joint messages, pretty decorations...) and a few nice messages, but mostly silence from the two. This stood out even more so in comparison to the almost barrage we've been getting from NJ and Tae, both enlisted only a day before Jikook.

And then came December. With less than 6 months to go.

JK going live from his new place. Dare I say their new place? It's not like we haven't talked about this over the past 18 months. Speculating, wondering. But man (figure of speech y'all), these last couple of months, they are sure making me feel like what we saw as leaning to the delusional side or more so wishful thinking, ain't no delusion or wish, but more so a very possible reality to come.

But let's get back on track.

So, December gave us:

"We spend our free time together", "we sing together", "we sing while we shower daily together", not to mention JK's btw remark about seeking privacy away from others "to sing".

Then came JM in January with their "conversations before going bed" about "what kind of image we want to show" and "what kind of lives we will live moving forward".

And February rolls in and we think that we will be back to their silent treatment, but JK comes to us with a heartfelt message (they really feel the end and want out). But nothing prepared us for Hobi's birthday live and once again those two with their "we share a room" and "we have stories to tell, but not sure how much we actually can..." that won't scare us off, lol.

Funny how every single hysterical claim made by those who were hit so very hard by their joint enlistment has been shut down by the two of them by now!!

Anyway, do we see a pattern here? Can we call this a pattern? Is there more to come? Well, obviously there is post military service, but seeing as to how they have been in the past couple of months, I'm thinking that we will be getting more even before that.

I'm guessing that conclusion isn't a far fetched one, seeing what we got last night.

And OMG, that was another HUGE loud af Jikook statement.

Ribbon on right: "I love you 🖤"

Ribbon on left: "BTS Park Jimin and Jeon Jungkook".

Yes, a statement.

I stand by that.

Because even if you don't think it's anymore than a cute thing, just another thing that Jikook do together, then you are not seeing the cultural context here.

So, several content producers/directors that were Hybe employees (directors of I am still, AYS and JM's production diary amongst others) have left the company to open their own company (Idk too much about the company they opened, but my guess is that they will continue working with Hybe as contractors rather than employees, but also allowing them to work with other companies and create their own content, including producing a new boy band). And they posted the congratulation they have received.

From Hobi.

Hoshi and Woonhoo of Seventeen.

Each sending a separate wreath.

Zico

And there are wreaths they received from more than one sender. Joint wreaths. But this was from companies (joint ceos), or business partners. Not two separate idols or people.

Now, if you don't see what's huge here, let me show you the K side of this to maybe get some perspective (although, let's be honest, you don't need to be on the K side to see this is a couple thing).

Yes, I wonder the same thing!!!

There is more.

So much more.

The K side of things is literally going mad. Good mad.

And there is a reason they are.

This is most definitley not something friends, as close as they might be, would do. Not friends, not multimillionaire friends. They most definitley can afford two wreaths. And that's one of the points here.

Once again.

This was a choice.

Not to send separate congratulative wreaths. They sure can afford to do so. Even if they aren't on vacation at the moment and are in the base. Seriously, two young men closing in on their 30s, independently financially sufficient and so much more.

Yeah, this most definitley was a statement.

And the frenzy K Jikookers are in at this very moment is well enough proof to that.

Btw, haven't been to the dark side, don't know just how crazy and rabid the cult and antiis are going, but my guess would be...

Anyways, sitting here smile plastered on my face, I'm kind of starting to think, that this is maybe, just maybe, going to become our new normal. Jikook doing couplie things, openly, proudly, unapologetically.

And if this is them even before they are discharged...

What a great time this is going to be.

[libraryofgage]

Addams Family B-Side (3)

Part of: Steve Deserves Good Parents, Actually Debbie and Fester Addams One | Two | Three (you're here!) Rick and Evelyn O'Connell One | Two (on the way!) Harley Quinn One 10th Doctor and Rose One | Two (on the way!) Scooby Gang (there are plans for this one lmao, so plz be patient with me orz)

Did I already post today? Yes. Did I also post two chapters of Modern Steve in 80s Hawkins today? Yes. I am just incredibly productive today, who knows when it's gonna happen again lol

Anyway, finally! The next B-Side! This bitch has been stewing my guys, so I hope you enjoy it lol

There are two memes at the very end of this one, so definitely stick around

As always, if you see any typos, no you didn't 😘

--------

For four weeks, Eddie feels himself losing his mind. He finds gifts in his locker every other day, and he's convinced they're from Steve Harrington. He now has a taxidermied bat, a fancy-looking vial with a skull and crossbones embossed in the glass and filled with mysterious liquid, an actual human skull that Eddie immediately incorporates into his next campaign, and a spider. An actual spider. A live spider that, after a little research, he learns is a fucking Black Widow that seems unnaturally friendly.

Eddie can't stress that part enough. Multiple people have mistaken the spider for an intricate vest patch because it just sits perfectly still over his chest pocket. It only moves to rub its head against Eddie's fingers whenever his hand passes over it, and even then it's careful to avoid hurting him with its pincers.

He names her Nox.

Those aren't the only gifts he's received, but they're the most notable, and Eddie is overwhelmed and flustered by the positive attention he's suddenly receiving.

The other thing driving him crazy is Pubert Addams, a guy Eddie had never paid much attention to before but now considers his mortal enemy. He's convinced Pubert is, at worst, potentially abusive or, at best, delusional and taking advantage of Steve's kindness and inability to brutally turn him down. Or maybe Eddie is the crazy one; he doesn't actually know. Whichever it is, Eddie is ready to take the very nice dagger he now has (gift number 15; yes, Eddie has been counting) and stab him with it.

Because he can't get more than two minutes alone with Steve before Pubert appears out of nowhere. Eddie runs into Steve in the hall while everyone else is in class? Pubert shows up with a hall pass two seconds later and literally waltzes Steve away from him. Eddie finds Steve camped out in the library during study hall? Pubert materializes in the chair next to Steve before Eddie can sit down, leaning far too close as he asks Steve to explain something from their shared Gothic Literature class. Eddie, by some miracle, is behind Steve in the lunch line (and he calls this a miracle because Steve always brings his lunch in a pink box with black skulls, which Eddie considers incredibly brave of him to carry around like it's nothing)? Before Eddie can do more than say hi and get a blinding smile in return, Pubert fucking Addams shows up and drags Steve away while promising to share his lunch.

Eddie is just about to lose the last shred of patience he's struggling to maintain when Steve finds him. Ironically, it's the same bathroom where they first talked, the one with mysterious mold growing in the corner that Eddie is convinced is some new species. It's the only bathroom with a busted smoke detector, and Eddie goes there to get high during his free period.

He's halfway through a joint, smoke curling around him as he sits on the sink counter and tries not to think about what else has been there, when the door swings open, Steve walks in, and Eddie chokes on his inhale.

"Don't die like this," Steve says, stepping closer and patting Eddie's back like they know each other, "It's no fun."

Eddie finally gets himself under control, taking a deep breath and wincing at the way his lungs burn. "No worries," he croaks out, regretting the departure of Steve's hand on his back. "What are you doing here? Please don't tell me you plan to use this bathroom."

"As curious as I am about the bacteria teeming on these toilet seats, no." Steve sounds genuine, like he really does want to swab the toilet seats and see what grows. Instead, he places his bag on the sink and pulls out a familiar vial with a familiar skull and crossbones. "I just came to drink."

"Oh?" Eddie says, leaning forward with a grin. He looks Steve up and down, taking in the pale blue sweater vest and immaculately pressed jeans. "You don't look the drinking type, Stevie."

Steve hums, popping the cork out of the vial and taking a swig from it. "This isn't exactly hard stuff," he says after he swallows, distracted enough that Eddie thinks he misses his eyes lingering on Steve's throat as it bobs.

"Just beer then?"

"What?" Steve asks, looking at Eddie like he's delusional. "No, it's cyanide and vinegar."

He says it with such conviction that Eddie believes him despite knowing cyanide is poison. "Metal," he says, looking away to take another drag of his joint as he struggles to break through his own awkwardness and hold a conversation that will somehow sweep Steve off his feet and make him forget all about Pubert Addams.

Before he can think of something clever and smooth and funny, Steve leans close and raises a hand to his chest. Eddie is about to warn him that Nox is, in fact, real when the spider scuttles onto Steve's fingers and settles in his palm. She does a little up-and-down motion, circles in his hand twice, and rubs her head against his wrist. "You've been taking good care of her," Steve says.

"Uh, yeah. How is she not biting you right now?" Eddie asks, remembering all the times Nox has warningly snapped at others who tried to touch her.

Steve snorts and allows Nox to return to her spot on Eddie's vest. "I raised her," he says, his tone casual like he isn't admitting to showering Eddie with inexplicable gifts for the past four weeks, "of course, she won't bite me."

"So, it has been you," Eddie replies, wanting to hear it from Steve himself.

With a soft hum, Steve takes another sip from his bottle. "Who else would it have been?"

Eddie licks his lips, takes another drag of his joint to brace himself, and hops off the counter. "So, uh, does that mean you li--"

Before the rest of the question can be asked, the bathroom door swings open again, and Eddie feels his eye twitch as Pubert Addams frowns at them. "So, this is where you were," he says, walking over to Steve and putting an arm around his shoulders.

"I told you I was going to the bathroom," Steve says, rolling his eyes as he stuffs the vial back into his bag.

Pubert looks Eddie over, a derisive huff escaping him as he dismisses Eddie and looks at Steve. "On the other side of the school? Really?" he asks, and Eddie would be overthinking what that means if he weren't sure his veins were about to burst.

"We were talking, you know," Eddie says, gaining Pubert's attention again. Steve looks at him, too, his eyes a little brighter.

"I'm sure," Pubert replies, rolling his eyes as he takes Steve's bag. "And now we're leaving." With that, he leads Steve out of the bathroom, the door swinging shut before Steve can do more than smile apologetically and wave.

Anger surges through Eddie, and the shaky drag he takes to finish off his joint does absolutely nothing to soothe it.

He's going to kill Pubert Addams.

--------

Funnily enough, Steve's mother doesn't learn about his crush until he's five weeks into it. When Debbie finally does discover the crush, it's because she walks in on Fester and Steve decorating homemade cookies shaped like anatomically correct hearts. She pauses in the doorway, looking between the two covered in flour and raspberry jam, and asks, "What on earth is going on here?"

Steve looks up, sees this as his chance to finally tell Debbie, and smiles brightly at her. "I'm in love, Mother. He's allergic to raspberry, and Father agreed to help me make him cookies with raspberry filling, so he can feel the same breathlessness I do when I see him," he explains, using his thumb to wipe raspberry jam off his cheek.

Debbie stares at him for a few seconds before looking at Fester. "How long have you known?" she asks.

"Five weeks," Fester admits, looking apologetic. "I wanted to tell you, Pumpkin! But Steve asked me not to so he could tell you himself."

She sighs and walks over to the island, sitting on the edge of a stool and taking one of the cookies for herself. She bites off a pulmonary vein, looking thoughtful as she chews. "I must admit, these are damn good cookies," she finally says, taking one more bite before passing it to Fester to finish. "Tell me about him."

And Steve does. He gushes about Eddie for a solid hour without taking a single breath, spilling everything he's seen Eddie do and how he's reacted to all of Steve's gifts and how he gets so obviously jealous when Pubert butts into their conversations. He tells Debbie about Eddie not screaming when he saw Nox, about him selling drugs, and about his interest in music. Steve laments his hair but eagerly describes the treatment routine he already has in mind.

By the time he's done, the cookies are decorated and his mother's expression has grown a little pained. "Steve, darling, come with me," she says, getting up from the chair and leading him out of the kitchen while Fester starts to clean up.

Steve waits until Debbie has brought him to her spare room to ask, "Did I do something wrong?"

"Well, did you remember my rules about crushes?"

"Yeah. I've talked to him a lot."

Debbie smiles and brings Steve over to the bed, sitting him down and straightening his hair before perching next to him. "Then, you're not in trouble, but you've been going about this all wrong, dear."

"Should I tell Pubert to stop making Eddie jealous?"

"Absolutely not," Debbie says, shaking her head firmly. "In fact, he could try harder. Nothing gets to a man like someone he can't have, especially if he thinks they're in distress."

Steve blinks, frowning slightly as he tries to figure out where, exactly, he's gone wrong. Eddie seems perfectly enamored with him, after all, and Pubert's goading is encouraging his affections, which is the only reason Steve has allowed it to continue. "Did I give him a live spider too soon?" Steve asks, figuring that's the problem here.

"No, that's not...," Debbie trails off, mutters something about Fester being an idiot, and clears her throat. "Steve, your father is the last person you should approach for love advice."

"But...you agreed to marry him, so he must have done something right," Steve says.

Debbie barks a laugh, waving her hand dismissively. "I married your father for his money. I attempted to kill his entire family and only stopped when he promised to give me everything I asked for. I would hardly call him a casanova."

Steve nods along, smiling a little as she speaks. He's heard their great love affair many times, but he doesn't get tired of it. "But you actually love him anyway, right? Father says it's because he showered you with gifts. So, that's what I'm doing."

"I...do love your father," Debbie admits, sighing as though she doesn't know how that happened either. "But it's less because of his gifts and more because...he gave me the devotion I wanted. Anyway, if you learn anything from us, it should be that love comes second."

"What comes first?"

Debbie smiles, the expression positively devious, and Steve can't help returning it. "Obsession," she says, her shoulders rolling back some as pride fills her. "Occupy his every waking thought. Make yourself irresistible. Make him dream of you at night. Overwhelm him with desire until he simply must act on it."

"Oh," Steve says, thinking of how his father acts around Debbie and realizing that obsession never quite went away. But it's worked out well for them, and he knows his mother has experience with luring men into her arms. He nods once and asks, "So, what should I do?"

"I'm so glad you asked," Debbie says, her smile bright and her eyes filled with excitement. "You'll have Eddie falling to his knees before you in no time."

--------

Eddie didn't think it could get worse. He was already attracted to Steve, already distracted by every little movement.

He was wrong. So incredibly wrong.

Because here he is, his mouth dry and his palms sweaty and his cheeks warm because of Steve. He's not even doing anything. Well, that's not true. Steve is curling his tongue around a lollipop before sucking it into his mouth like he'll die without it. But it's more than that. It's the painted-on jeans that hug his legs; it's the pastel pink hoodie (with little bats on the cuffs) that rides up whenever Steve moves to show off a strip of skin just above his waistband; it's the way he finishes the lollipop and pulls out lipgloss, casually telling Pubert it's raspberry flavored as he puts it on.

Eddie swallows around the dryness in his mouth, gripping his locker door so tight that his knuckles turn white as he looks inside it. Sitting innocently on top of everything is a Tupperware container of cookies with raspberry filling (according to the label), and Eddie is ready to eat one just so he can die knowing what Steve's lips taste like.

That's not even the worst of it. The worst is that Steve transfers into Eddie's Music Theory class, smiling innocently while the teacher introduces him and then directs him to sit at the empty desk next to Eddie. When he's close, Eddie realizes Steve smells like cookies and cream ice cream, and he's tempted to ask if Steve smells like his favorite flavor on purpose.

The teacher saves him from the embarrassment of blurting out the question by announcing a project. The teacher then dooms him by telling everyone they're required to work with their desk neighbor. Eddie grips his pen tightly when the teacher tells them to spend the rest of their class time discussing the project.

"So," Steve says, getting Eddie's attention. When he looks over, Steve is leaning forward on his desk, chin propped in his hand as he looks at Eddie. "Want to come over to my place after school? To work on the project, I mean."

Eddie stares at Steve for a few seconds, his tongue stuck in his throat. To his credit, Steve doesn't say anything or call Eddie out for staring at him. He just waits patiently with a little smile curling his lips. Eddie finally clears his throat, his voice coming out a little strained when he says, "Yeah, sure, sounds good. After school. Your place. Project."

Smooth. Real smooth.

When Steve just smiles wider and stretches his arms above his head, pulling his hoodie up, while suggesting they do the project on the evolution of heavy metal music, Eddie realizes he's probably going to die after school.

He can't wait.

-------

Tag List (I think there's still room for a few more people ^_^)

@estrellami-1, @itsall-taken, @mugloversonly, @fandomcartographer, @hippielittlemetalhead, @agree2disagre-kicks, @ledleaf, @just-a-tiny-void, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @ink1177, @maya-custodios-dionach, @littlebluejane, @steddieonbigboy, @ravenpainter, @read-write-thrive, @deadontheinside20, @yeahhhh-suga, @nectandra, @mogami13, @mx-jinxous, @thoughtfulbreadpolice, @anne-bennett-cosplayer, @xoxoladyclara

@zaddipax, @dycte, @breealtair, @geekymagicalpotato, @janea-grill, @juliasthename-adhdismygame, @yikes-a-bee, @wayward-people, @st-fics, @disrespectedgoatman, @bipusssy, @cottagecorebutnaturescaresme, @nightowl14028018, @that-binchh, @your-confused-friend, @irethsune, @goosesister, @strawberryyyenthusiast, @irregular-child, @theverywest

And, finally, a two-for-one meme special because I couldn't decide which was funnier:

[1for5]

TO ALL THE GIRLS I’VE LOVED BEFORE

paige bueckers x uconn student!reader

with caitlin clark, aubrey griffin, nika muhl, and emily engstler

───────── ⋆⋅🏀⋅⋆ ─────────

CHAPTER 1: Contracts and Parties

prologue ch 2

You know that feeling wherein a name is introduced to you, and you start seeing them all over the place? That is what Y/n is feeling, but it started when the incident with Paige happened. Yes, Paige was everywhere, whether it was on a poster or during school events. However, Y/n kept on seeing her every time you’re at the library, the halls, the cafeteria, and hell even the bar.

On a Wednesday morning, Y/n was free till after lunch. She had a chance to eat outside, especially since the weather was good. Y/n craved Japanese food–particularly Udon, and headed to a Japanese Restaurant. To no surprise, Paige had also just arrived at the restaurant. While waiting for a table, multiple buzzes came from Y/n’s phone.

Emily

Hey, can we talk?

About the letter.

Y/n had no intentions of talking to Emily, as she thought that it would end their friendship and maybe even have her sister dislike her, hence why she is ignoring Emily. When Y/n was signalled to sit down and check the menu, the tall blonde also sat at the seat in front of her. “So.. you going to ignore me or what?” Paige started talking. “We just don’t really talk.” Y/n shrugged, playing with the corner end of the menu. “Why are you seated in front of me?” Y/n added. “I am alone, and you’re alone so..” Paige said and scanned the menu.

It was awkwardly silent after Paige made the comment. “You won’t acknowledge the letter L/n?” Paige cut off the quiet noise. “You are not the only one I wrote a letter to, Bueckers. Don’t act so cocky. I only wrote the letter because you were my first kiss, and it was quite significant to me” Y/n called the waiter and ordered her food.

“So I'm not the only one? And it was all because of that truth or dare kiss? Damn you’re a player” Paige felt shocked. “Well no, that’s not it. I wrote these years ago. Each person at a different time. I wrote four.” Y/n explained, taking a sip of water.

“Four? Care to let me know?” Paige grew curious. “No way!” Y/n protested. “Well you could not tell me and I’ll tell the whole school that you like me..” Paige’s cocky smile grows.

“Excuse me? I am NOT delusional? And plus, no one cares anymore about anyone in college.” You scoffed. The food arrived, and you both thanked the waitress.

“Are you sure? You’re a head school writer too, people know you.” Paige giggled, and took a bite of her food. You rolled your eyes at her, giving a “Don’t test me” look.

“Fine, fine! Okay so of course you’re part of it, then Aubrey Griffin..” you start. “No way! She was my teammate before! But I agree, she is very fine.” Paige laughed.

“Mhm! Moving on.. I also wrote to Caitlin Clark.” You said, starting to get embarrassed. “I see your type. She was our schoolmate for like a year right? But. isn’t she straight?” Paige clarified.

“Oh. I didn’t know and still do not know. She’s very pretty though.” Y/n explained. “Okay next! Er.. Emily Engstler? Do you know her? She’s in the WNBA now.” Y/n continued.

“And another player.. But I know her! I know all things women's basketball. Wait wait.. isn’t she your sister’s girlfriend? Nika?” Paige gasped, and drank from her iced tea with shocked eyes.

“I mean Emily was my best friend, and she was the first person I liked. Didn’t show my feelings though.” Y/n stated. “It feels so damn awkward, and I certainly do not want to talk to Emily about my (then) feelings about her.. so I kinda just.. kissed you? I’m trying to ignore her.” Y/n added. “Damn, that’s crazy L/n. How’d you even become friends with Engstler?” The blonde asked.

“She was my neighbour, and we are 2 years apart, so we kinda related to each other. We were so close, until her and my sister became a thing. They still invited me to their dates but I would always still feel different.” Y/n continued, reminding herself of the friendship she had with Emily.

Paige then got an idea, which Y/n knew was going to be a bad one once she gave you that “I have this crazy idea that I like but you might not like however I want to convince you” look.

“You know that my ex, Mia Clarkson, our school mate even from grade school, fumed when someone told her you kissed me.” Paige started. “Probably. She was my best friend, but our friendship broke after that truth or dare kiss with you.” Y/n shared.

“No way! I never thought that she would have a “history” with you. Anyways, well.. What if we start fake dating? Emily would stop trying to reach you, and Mia would want to get back with me when she sees how I am with another girl!” Paige shared her idea, your head not believing that she just said those words.

“No way. I mean, really?” Y/n wasn’t convinced. “It would be great. When Mia sees us, she would come back to me in no time, especially with your history with her. And if Emily checks her social media apps, then she would see that we are in a relationship, which would give you that boundary.” Paige explained further.

Y/n thought for a while. This could either go so fast or so slow. She thought hard, and weighed the pros and cons. People may hate her, however, she could stay away from Emily for a while till she knows how to approach her. And this could give her new experiences too.

“Fine, deal. But we have to make a contract though.”

“Contract? What would we need a contract for?” Paige asked. “This will be my “first” relationship, and we need boundaries. I do not want my first relationship to have all of its firsts being fakes.” Y/n explained. “I get you. What do you want to put in the contract?” Paige got a paper from her oh so big gym bag. “You probably have your whole life in that bag! Anyways, first rule. I do not like kissing.” Y/n starts.

“How can we show affection then?” Paige followed up. “You can hug me. Oh! You can put your hands in my back pocket.” Y/n smiled. “What are you, an 80s kid?” Paige snickered. “Leave me alone, it's romantic!” Y/n defended herself. “Whatever. Okay next rule. You have to come to my games, and I can come to any programs you would want to bring me to.” Paige wrote on the paper.

“Okay. We would also have to post each other on social media. Not always, but at least make our relationship known.” Y/n took the paper from Paige and wrote the rule. “Deal. Oh! I will give you simple notes, Mia always asked me to give her, but I never did. She’ll go crazy if she sees me give you notes.” Paige said. “And.. You will have to come with me on the annual UCONN ski trip.” Paige added.

The UCONN ski trip? That’s like a day of easy room access for intimacy. Those who did not lose their virginities during high school lost their virginities during the ski trip. Y/n thought. “That’s three whole months from now! Would we even still be doing this by then?” Y/n questioned. “All couples go on the trip. We can just apply this rule if we are still doing this in three months' time.” Paige stated.

“Okay. Fine.” Y/n playfully rolled her eyes at Paige. “We almost forgot the most important rule. We can’t tell anyone, I mean anyone, about this agreement. It would shatter us both.” Y/n took the paper from Paige and wrote the rule with a big font.

“Deal.”

-

A week has gone by, and the “couple” has two events that they would have to go through: (1) UCONN party held by the women’s basketball team, and (2) a basketball practice game of the women’s team against the men’s. The party is on a Wednesday, as it is the last day of Midterms. The practice game is on a Friday. The game in fact is an annual “event” that many people look forward to, especially those who are fans of both the women’s and men’s team.

It is Wednesday afternoon, and Y/n is preparing for the party. She wore a UCONN t-shirt given by Paige, and simple jeans. Y/n was not sure if she should feel excited or nervous, as it will be the first time she and Paige will be seen together.

While putting on make up, Y/n got a text from Paige, saying that she is near. Paige is automatically the designated driver of the relationship, as Y/n has not earned a license yet. After minutes, she heard a car honk, which stated that Paige was there. She got her bag and headed out to meet Paige in the car.

“Hey, you ready for the party?” Paige asked once Y/n was able to settle down at the front seat of the car. “Yeah.” Y/n nervously smiled.

-

Arriving at the house where the party is, before opening the door, Y/n was tying her hair up, however, Paige quickly got the hair tie not letting Y/n put up her hair. “I prefer your hair down, and I will keep this scrunchie of yours” Paige placed her hand in the scrunchie. Y/n scoffed, “You better not lose it.” she said firmly, as it was her favourite tie, given to her by her sister Nika.

Paige nodded, and got her phone out. She opened her camera and asked Y/n to pose for her. Y/n placed her hands on her cheeks, and the camera took a shot. Paige smiled and made it her wallpaper. “Mmm. Smart. Let me take a picture of you too.” Y/n laughed while Paige was giving her poses for the wallpaper.

After the wallpapers had been set, they went on and headed inside the house. The whole UCONN women’s basketball team was there and approached Paige. “Paige! Thought you wouldn’t come! Oh! Who’s this pretty girl?” KK Arnold was the first to approach Y/n, the rest following and stating their hi(s) and hello(s). “Guys, I want you all to meet my girlfriend.” Paige announced loudly enough for the whole house to hear.

“No way! You bagged her?” Azzi jokes, which made Y/n laugh. “You are so so pretty!” Ice complimented Y/n. After a while, Y/n slowly got the hang of being the “center of attention.” The UCONN team made her feel like home, giving her stories about Paige and making funny jokes.

“Okay, enough of us talking. What made you like Paige?” Q asked Y/n. Y/n, however, did not know how to answer that, only knowing the person for only a week. “Well, she has this side of hers that she only showed me. Paige is really hard working, compassionate, funny, and a whole lot more.” Y/n did not completely lie. She and Paige had an agreement only they knew, and referring to the posters and sports posts, she knew Paige had an excellent personality especially on the court.

Paige smiled when Y/n was speaking, however, her eye saw the figure of Mia Clarkson, who signalled her to follow her to the bathroom.

“What do you need?” Paige asked Mia, closing the bathroom door. “Why are you with her?” Mia asked, clearly showing that she was jealous and mad. “That is none of your business” Paige said firmly, looking at herself in front of the mirror.

“Oh what’s this?” Mia then acknowledged the scrunchie being worn by Paige, and got it out of her hand. Mia then fixed her hair, and asked Paige if she “looked good tonight.” “You always look good.” The blonde slightly smiled. Mia smirked, and walked out of the bathroom, leaving Paige alone.

Paige did not know why she did not make a move, it was clear that Mia was already showing signs of interest again. She didn’t feel the “spark” she was hoping to feel, maybe it was just that it’s too early into the agreement, and Paige always reaches for that sense of accomplishment, which she wouldn’t have felt if she already made a move on Mia.

The blonde just shrugged it off, and headed back to her team and Y/n.

[fevers-and-emeto-oh-my]

i'm gonna be really honest for a second. being a multishipper in the 9-1-1 fandom is EXHAUSTING. it feels like other true multishippers are rare and even people who are multishippers still seem to fall onto one side or the other of the ship war, which means there's negativity EVERYWHERE and also means that being in any space for speculation is SO draining.

I LOVE bucktommy. I LOVE buddie. I LOVE buddietommy. I LOVE eddietommy, and buckbobby, and buddiebobby, and eddiebobby, and buddietaylor, and a hundred other things. And I KNOW there are plenty of other 9-1-1 fans who also enjoy these pairings just as much as I do.

But it so easily and quickly gets drowned out by the very intensely vocal sides of fandom that are ADAMANT about their ships going canon. I want buddie to go canon! I do! But I'll be equally as pleased if bucktommy is endgame. And I feel constantly caught in the middle because buddie fans so easily throw vitriol at Tommy and call bucktommy fans ridiculous for wanting bucktommy to be endgame, and at the same time bucktommy fans throw vitriol at Eddie and call buddie fans delusional and ridiculous for thinking buddie will ever go canon.

So not only can I not do what I love, which is gush endlessly about the pairings I love, without feeling like I HAVE to disclaim that I'm NOT in this war and I personally don't CARE what goes canon, but I ALSO get soooo burnt out with speculation.

It's been a long time since I was in a TV show fandom that was still airing. Not since the end of Supernatural, and Voltron before that. I am really excited to be able to theorize and speculate for the weekly episodes in a way that I can't really do right now for Resident Evil since we don't have a ton confirmed in the works right now. It's FUN to throw crazy theories at the wall and see what sticks. I made a bingo card for 8b and I was so very giddy when I got to check off my "Buck moves into Eddie's house" square after 8x09, which was the first episode of the entire show I've watched live. I love taking crumbs from BTS and interviews and trying to piece them together. Personally, I love coming up with theories for both buddie and bucktommy, which is so easy right now between Buck being in Eddie's house and the multiple BTS we have practically confirming LFJ on set with Oli.

Eddie is my favorite character. When tonight's episode airs, I'm muting any spoiler/spec chats I'm a part of. I came into the show knowing a ton of spoilers, so I've never gotten to see an Eddie-focused arc totally blind. Because Tim confirmed 8x12 focuses on Eddie, I plan to go in completely and utterly blind--I won't look at the stills, the interviews, the emojis, nada, zip, until AFTER I have watched 8x12. But I'm also honestly looking forward to a week-long break.

Because the hard thing about speculation is that in a space that is SO dominated by ONE ship, SO MUCH of the spec becomes revolved around that ship. And I get it, I do. But also, it makes me kind of sad? Yes, I want to speculate about a queer journey for Eddie, and about Buck dealing with being alone in the Diaz house, and who Buck is out for drinks with. But...I want to do it in a way that focuses on the characters, NOT on their ship? I want to talk about Eddie handling his parents, especially with the somewhat-reconciliation we saw him have with Ramon in season 5 and the way Helena was obviously more of the mastermind behind taking Chris in season 7. I want to see Eddie and Chris work out their issues. I want to see Eddie deal with being away from ALL of his found family, not just Buck. And I want to speculate about these things without it immediately turning into a stepping stone toward buddie becoming canon.

I can't even say it's the same for bucktommy. The fandom vitriol for him is so strong that I pretty much only spec about Tommy or bucktommy with a specific friend who I know loves Tommy and bucktommy the same way and multiships the same way that I do. If I see spec about Tommy, it's always accompanied by someone saying why they don't want to see him again or talking about how Tommy showing up is going to be another stepping stone to buddie going canon.

It's just not how I personally engage with fandom, so it feels really alienating to know that on both sides there's so much vitriol and so much NEED to be right about what becomes canon. Shipping has NEVER been about things going canon for me personally. I shipped Shiro and Keith in Voltron, Sam and Castiel in Supernatural, Sam and Dean Winchester, Nick and Monroe in Grimm, Nanami and Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen. I knew in every single one of those instances that those ships would never ever go canon and I had zero chance of it happening, and it didn't matter. Fuck, any one of my Resident Evil ships CURRENTLY also will never go canon, and I don't care. Because at the end of the day, it's the CHARACTERS that make me have a ship. I don't ship Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield because I think CAPCOM will make them fuck dirty in Resident Evil 9. I ship them because they have a long, complex history with one another and they were literally created as character foils, so their dynamic is really interesting and inherently gives them a lot of chemistry.

It's no different for me with Buck and Eddie and Tommy. Buck and Eddie are complex characters with a very unique dynamic for two men on mainstream television, and exploring any version of how they might get together, split apart, get together again, get married, become fuckbuddies, mourn each other's deaths, etc. is fascinating and a lot of fun, and they have really good chemistry with one another that adds to it. Buck and Tommy as a canonical couple had a very healthy, loving relationship and their differences in personality actually made their chemistry stronger in my opinion. I've been shown by canon how great they are together, so why wouldn't I want to explore that? Buck, Eddie, and Tommy as a trio also have insane chemistry and exploring how three different personalities, dynamics, and life experiences would go together is interesting.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that as a writer and a reader/watcher, I vastly prefer character-driven stories. I will watch or read all the shitty plot in the world if the characters are compelling and well-written, but even the most perfect, well-written plot will lose me if the characters are flat and badly-written. Because this is how my brain works, shipping for me ALSO becomes character-driven. I don't WANT to speculate ONLY about how X and Y will get together and how X and Y fit into each other's lives and how XY is going to happen and how XZ shouldn't happen. I WANT to talk about how X and Y as separate people handle various situations, canon or spec, and how that could lead them into a partnership, not into becoming one object that only exists to be rabid over.

I just think the 9-1-1 fandom is a little too "this MUST go canon" focused, and they're a LOT too "everything has to do with my ship" focused. And it makes me feel like I'm standing alone in a room with nobody I can really share my opinions with (except for one person, you know who you are if you're reading this <3)

[inell]

I personally think Eddie will be back next episode, because we've seen Eddie in the BTS of the hospital that was shot a few weeks again, we know he's back at the 118 because of that video from Kenny, I just can't figure out why they have Gerrard back (presumably as captain) and Bobby in uniform, unless there's another hotshot thing??

Also, that BTS of Oliver with his camera on the rooftop, I also think the other guy was Ryan sorting his hair out and slicking it back... Eddie makes a surprise appearance by helicopter some how??

I'm probably delusional, but the team doesn't look right without Eddie!! 😭

Hey Nonnie! I am very much hoping you’re right that Eddie is back next week! I miss seeing him with the firefam. I suspect we’ll see him next week, too, but I’m not sure how. I’m reserving judgment on his place in the contagion arc until we finish the second part, since next week could pull him into it somehow, but I am looking forward to seeing him back with the 118. His absence is felt, which might be what the show was trying to convey (but poorly done if so).

It would have been so easy to have Bobby make a rueful “I wish Eddie was here” before having to do surgery on Hen, similar to his “I wish Buck was doing it” comment to Athena on the cruise ship. We did get Buck’s heavily referenced “no one else is quitting this month” comment but that was the only ghost of Eddie around, which didn’t give me joy as an Eddie fan. 😂 in 8x11, he wasn’t there but we felt his presence everywhere. In 8x14, he wasn’t there but we felt his absence everywhere. Maybe that’s what the narrative intends, or maybe they rabbit holed into another Big Event at the expense of Eddie.

I still really enjoyed the episode. It was entertaining even if some of the choices could have been more narratively satisfying & I’m always here for more Eddie on my screen. It could have been done, so I am waiting to see if something happens next week that ties everything together and makes the whole arc satisfying or if I’m left feeling like there were missed opportunities.

In full disclosure, I love all of the firefam, and I miss having Eddie involved in important moments for the team when it feels like he’s the only one who ever misses out on stuff (yes, I know Chim was gone during the hunt for Maddie arc but so was Eddie).

I do wish this Eddie plot had been paced better and resolved in 8a so we weren’t left with Ryan unable to be part of Aisha’s directorial debut & now not part of the contagion thing (yet, potentially). I mean, the dude gets paid regardless, but the cast is so friendly and seem to get along outside of work, too, so I’m sure there’s got to be some disappointment at missing the bigger things.

As for Gerrard being back as captain, it’s a call we saw filmed BTS and can hear Chim yelling at him and saying he isn’t fit to replace Bobby, which does lend some credence to the possible “dream slash hallucination slash not really happening” theory. Only time will tell us, Nonnie. We’ll find out in the next few weeks!

[petitelepus]

I deleted my other account so here's a re-ask on my new account for Oblivion by Grimes with elderly/fear form Hantengu. Maybe human version?? I saw other people are sending themes but I don't know, you can come up with it because I couldn't think of one 🌸👹

Summary: You were afraid of the dark, but you would endure it so you could get to your beloved and become a Demon like he was.

Warnings: Slightly Yanderish, It's Hantengu, Crying, Demons

A/N: Hantengu, Reader, Gender Neutral Reader, Music Request

You were running as fast as your legs could take you from one place to another. The lantern in your hand swayed, the small fire inside it flickering.

It was your only source of light in the middle of the dark forest during the night, and you feared what could happen if the fire went out before you could make it to where you wanted to go.

You were heading to see the man you had fallen in love with.

Soon enough, you saw the small abandoned shrine, your destination, and quickly made your way to it, making sure to knock before you even considered entering.

"W- Who is it...?" Came a feeble, shivering voice that you loved so much.

"It's me," You called, and the voice yelped before calling back, "A- Are you alone?"

"I am."

"C- Come in..."

You slid the door aside and slipped inside, your lantern lighting up the small space where your beloved lover, this old, frail man, Hantengu, was hiding in the corner of the space.

"Y- You came...?" He sounded genuinely surprised, and you smiled as you put the lantern down, "I did."

"B- But you're afraid..."

"Ah-!" You blinked, stunned, "How can you tell?"

He wiped his teary eyes, "I just... Are you afraid of me?"

You should have been. Hantengu wasn't actually a normal man, but the monster of the night, a Demon, but you never saw him as one. Not when he was so afraid of anything that moved. Afraid of a little frail you.

"I just... I don't like darkness..." You admitted as you tried to even out your breathing, "It's scary... The dark side and what hides there. Someone could come up to me from behind and break my neck without me even realizing it...!"

The Demon nodded as he took in the information you gave him.

You came to see him, even when you were scared of the night's darkness? You were so brave, and for his sake... He almost started crying again.

"Yet you came... S- So you've thought about my offer?"

Ah, his generous offer to turn you into a Demon like him. Yes, you had been thinking about it a lot.

You both knew that you couldn't be together. Not unless you were the same. A relationship between a human like you and a Demon like him was doomed to fail and end in tears and blood...

But if you were turned into a Demon also, then you could be together forever, and even darkness wouldn't be so scary anymore!

...But were you willing to give up your humanity and curse yourself, turning into a man-eating monster for this pathetic Demon's sake?

In a heartbeat.

"Hantengu, you're the only one who has ever shown interest in me..." You smiled, and the Demon shivered as he felt tears burn his red eyes again, but before they could drop, you smiled and leaned forward, kissing his bump gently.

"I love you so much. You can turn me or eat me, I don't care, as long as I can be with you one way or another."

The Demon's eyes widened as tears fell and slid down his bony cheeks.

Weeks ago, when you stumbled on Hantengu, he had the full intention of eating you, but before he could do so, you showed him kindness and compassion, something he had never gotten during his long life and even less after he was turned into a Demon.

With Muzan's permission, Hantengu had the privilege to change you into a Demon, much like his master had done to him.

But would you like it?

It would have been merciful to just eat you or simply leave and let you go and live your life without him...

But Hantengu was delusional and a selfish man. He didn't want to spend one moment away from you any longer than he had to. He wanted you all for himself. If you turned into a Demon, you'd be his and his only.

"Ah..." Hantengu whimpered as he raised his thumb to his lips and bit on it, making him squeal in pain as his, no, Muzan's blood rose to the surface.

"D- Drink it...?" He offered his finger to you, and your eyes widened, but you didn't hesitate even for a second. You lurched forwards and snapped your mouth around his thumb, sucking and licking his finger clean as the wound started to heal quickly.

"When should it-?" You were going to ask when the change would happen when you felt your heart being squeezed like a vice around it, your blood turned scalding in your veins, and you could feel your skin prickle like tiny needles were pinching you all at he same time.

Hantengu whimpered as he watched you undergo the transformation. You looked like you were in pain, but your groans and growls were nearly animalistic and furious instead of ones of pain.

The Demon whimpered your name as you stilled, and for a second, he feared that Muzan's blood had killed you instead of turning you into one of his servants...

But then you finally raised your eyes, and Hantengu's red eyes widened as he saw yours.

Your eyes now had slits on them like snakes had but they were still gorgeous. Your fangs were sharp, and your nails grew long and honed also, perfect for mauling your future prey.

"How do you feel...?" Hantengu softly whispered, and you tilted your head at him.

"I feel..." You whispered before grinning, showing off those sharp fangs of yours, "I feel amazing...!"

You moved so quickly, bouncing on Hantengu like a fox would jump on a mouse, but instead of hurting or eating him, you kissed him.

The shy Demon cried out against your lips, and you pulled back, looking at him so lovingly, "I love you, Hantengu, I love you so much."

The male yelped, and you smiled as you hugged and held him lovingly, "Thank you, thank you so much for granting me this blessing to let me keep loving you."

Hantengu sobbed against you as he wrapped his arms around you and returned your hug. Truly, he was a selfish Demon, not being able to let you go, and now you couldn't leave him either if you ever changed your mind about loving him.

But Hantengu was fine with this. You were his and his alone.

[dragonworshippersblog]

Otto: if rhaenyra succeeds viserys, she will put your [alicent’s] children to the sword

The only person in the show who want to kill innocent children was otto himself “it is unsavory, yes but a sacrifice we must make to secure aegon's ascension […] lord commander Westerling, take your knights to dragonstone, be quick and be clean”. Otto wanted to make a massacre of a whole family, and the council agreed with him; on the other hand rhaenyra, nor in the book or in the show, never wanted or proposed the death of her half brothers and half sister.

Alicent: The prince Lucerys brought a blade to the ambush, he meant to kill my son

Meanwhile aemond picked up a rock and hit jace on the head, when he was on the ground bleeding he said “you will die screaming just as your father did, bastards”.

(disclaimer: I am not saying aemond deserves to lose his eye or that he really wants to kill jace, just that alicent’s accusation is nonsense since luke pulled out the knife only after aemond threatened he and his brother with death. Surely aemond didn't mean it but luke was sure,and it is understandable since he is the younger among those present, so acted accordingly by defending his brother, before this he never took the knife)

Alicent: the emblems of the seven serve only to guide us on an uncertain path to remind us of a higher authority.

The faith of the seven consider incest as a monstruos and vile sin, so it condemns incestuous marriages calling them an abomination. Yet alicent betrothal aegon and haelena because it was convenient to her; since she is so religious, with her actions she would condemn her children to damnation, but she doesn't seem to care much about that

Alicent: At the green council she said “Am I to understand that members of the small council have been secretly planning to install my son without me?” pretending to be completely uninvolved, but here is an evolution of older alicent from ep 6 to 8 (not including ep 9 because it show the green council and ep 10 because it is all based on rhaenyra and the black)

ep 6: she said to aegon “you are the king’s firstborn son. And what they know, what everyone in the realm knows in their blood and in their bones is that one day, you will be our king”. She also speak with viserys about rhaenyra’s children in the hope for him to change his mind, and in the council she alway discredit rhaenyra’s position

ep 7: it is the episode when aemond lost his eye otto said to her that she had the determination to win the game and now vaghar was at their side, then he conclude by saying that they will prevail

ep 8: she agreed to give driftmark to vaemond before the petition start, because it was safe “in the case of a war” have a more experienced men at the head of velaryon’s fleet.

If you still believe that she was not aware, or at least not expect that the council was scheming, then you are totally delusional (it's worth mentioning that rhaenyra had told alicent that the council was plotting to replace her and this was even before aegon was born, and that alicent admitted to otto that he was implacable in the idea of having aegon on the throne; so it was unthinkable to assume that he wasn't plotting especially at a time like this where viserys was ill and he had all the power. If you continue to assert that Alicent was in the dark, then you are consequently asserting that she is stupid)

Alicent: "We [woman] do not rule, but we may guide the men that do. Gently, away from violence"

Friendly reminder that aegon, alicent's son, rape the maids in the red keep. I find this this behaviour very far from being kind and being against violence; and if alicent is not capable of controlling her son as a prince, imagine once she has placed a crown on his head (in fact in fire and blood otto and alicent were convinced that once aegon was crowned king they would be the true rulers, and this is revealed to be false since he relieved otto of his position and act, most of the time, without listen to alicent)

Otto: “Queen Alicent has not forgotten the love you once have for each other”

Alicent did not forget the love she and rhaenyra shared when the latter might make decisions that harm her children, because when alicent abused rhaenyra then that love for her had never existed

Context: Alicent demanded that the baby rhaenyra had just given birth to be brought to her, not even having the decency to leave them alone for a few minutes after rhaenyra's painful delivery to bring the child into the world. In the second picture alicent and otto agreed to grant vaemond a petition for the wooden throne despite the fact that the succession had already been decided by corlys himself subjecting rhaenyra to great stress while she was pregnant. In the third rhaenyra had an abortion because her body could not cope with the pain after her father had died and his death was hidden from her, and consequently she could not say goodbye to him and take the ring he was wearing (a ring that belonged to aemma, the mother rhaenyra lost at a young age, photo 4), to this pain was also added the fact that her throne had been usurped by her childhood friend who a few days earlier had praised how good a queen rhaenyra would be. Of course, I have not included all the times where Alicent discredited rhaenyra and her opinions, and spread gossip about her children, calling them 'threats' and 'savages'. If this is love I can't think what would have happened if there was antipathy between the two.

[apoetsworld]

HEY. So i have a very serious question.

This guy I've known for a while and sorta always had a lingering thing for, has started talking to me recently...like a lot. NOW. Take into consideration that I used to have a crush on him but stopped as soon as I became aware he was in a relationship (and immediately friendzoned myself ofc).

Now, in recent events (a few weeks ago) he broke up with said girlfriend. And started talking to me about everything. At first I thought this was pretty normal, he'd confided in me in the past.

But he's now begun to talk about other stuff or tried to talk to me in general about other things unrelated. Keep in mind: I am NOT his best friend, and we work relatively in class on occassion.

Okay now here's where I get delusional:

As we were leaving class recently, he and my friend, lets call her Sam, were walking to the next class together, and he flat tired me as I was walking in front of them...as a joke. And then we spent the entire passing period between classes trying to flat tire one another. While Sam watched us suspiciously and made jokes.

He's a generally smiley guy okay, think James Potter, but with even more attitude, and sarcasm. We make jokes, okay, lots of jokes, but before he wouldn't quite look at me how he does now. Like...yk. When someone looks at you while you're laughing or smiles more jsut cause. SUSPIUCIOUS. I think so anyways.

Okay on another note: today, we have these events at our schools where we set up stuff okay, thats not important, the point is, while we were packing up the stuff I offer to take some decorations back, and he says thanks, whatever, but then he asks if i need the keys, and i obviously thinking the room is closed, I say yes, and then he makes a show of trying to balance the keys on the top of my head. (But like in a flirty way, since he's taller than me and was looking at me oddly while I stood...frozen, because WHAT)

There was also this afterschool thing going on and I stopped by because some of my friends were there, and so was he suprisingly. Im not a stalker I swear. But he was there and as soon as I got there he started talking to me, and then jokingly telling me Im not supposed to be there. Which ik normal, but just odd occurrence I felt the need to mention.

Side note: When we were friends friends friends we would share food because we both love food, and it was nowhere near romantic because we all kind of would (like in the class), but i made a joke about it today because I was heating up my food in class and he said something, and I said "none for you then" and then he proceeded to go on a tangent explaining how he's on a cut (first time in a while) and he's recently dropped a few pounds, now I joke "oh i hadn't noticed LOL" and then for the entire hour after he's announcing to everyone about his cut

Look besides this not much has happened okay, the break up happened the beginning of this month, I may very well be delusional so be honest PLEASE. Hurt my feelings if you must in the comments....I will end up deleting this soon.

okay thanks for coming to my ted talk, and if you think you know me, no, no you don't

[cr33pz-mck3nna]

Sweater Weather

Jason the Toymaker backstory

Summary: You used to have a childhood friend, imaginary or not, and he was your world, you even kept the necklace you could've sworn he gave you, but it's been years since you've seen that little blue door...

Warnings: Stockholm and manipulative themes, reader is one of his victims, delusional reader

I can hear them talking around me but their words fly over my head, most people describe me as crazy, some even using the term possessed to describe me, all because of HIM..He was my best friend but it's been...oh about 6-7 years since I last saw him. I'm all grown up now and part of me is starting to wonder if everything I knew never actually happened..

"Yo! What's gotten into you bruh!?" My friend Amy shouts loudly at me over the howling storm winds, startling me out of my thoughts "Sorry girl..I was just-" "Stuck in your head, again, I know." I sigh, I guess this is way too common for my friends..

"I have to babysit the fucking Spencer kid again" Amy groaned "Ricky?" "Yeah that little shit! I can't STAND him!" I stopped for a moment thinking again, Amy was right, Ricky Spencer was annoying af, but he also has such a strong imagination, he reminds me of myself tbh..

"I'll go with you." I said, kinda outta nowhere as it startled Amy pretty bad "Oh! Are you..sure? You know you don't have to-" "I wanna help, Amy." I looked her in the eyes and gave her a small genuine smile "..ok then, meet me there later!"

A few hours later and I'm walking up to the Spencer house, I always thought their house was quite beautiful, must be Mrs Spencer's taste. I can already hear the sounds of Ricky's whining and screaming, yeah tonight's gonna be funnnn-

"OH THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE!" I didn't even get a chance to knock as Amy bursts open the door and pulls me in "I'm actually so glad you decided to come help me, apparently Mr and Mrs Spencer forgot to inform me that Ricky's sleepover was tonight!" She yells over the very loud children running around "I am SO making them pay extra for this.." she grumbles as she takes off in the direction of a particularly rowdy boy trying to climb the banister and I chuckle at the chaos around me..kids I tell ya

"ALRIGHT KIDDOS WHOEVER DOESN'T PIPE DOWN AND WALK IN A CALM MANNER INTO THE DEN IS NOT GETTING ANY PIZZA OR WATCHING THE MOVIE!" I yell out, picking up my cellphone and preparing to call the pizzeria, and it's immediate silence as they all one by one file into the den and Amy collapses on the steps, sobbing into her hands and looking like she had it about three years ago- "You..are a fucking miracle worker." I chuckle at her exasperated tone and heave her off the stairs, leading her to the den to stay with the kids while I order pizza.

Hours later and most of the children are sleeping through the raging storm outside, some though(Ricky included ofc) refuse until they've gotten their bedtime story. "My mommy always reads me a story and hers are ALWAYS the best so you BETTER be even half as good as mommy or I will be complaining to her!" Ricky yells at me, him and the rest of the still awake children sitting on pillows circling his bed "Pipe down young man!" I chuckle "You're gonna wake all your friends downstairs, and miss Amy-" yes Amy passed out with the other kids like an hour ago. "I've never been in your room before Ricky and you expect a bedtime story from me when I have yet to get my tour!? How rude!" I laugh as Ricky sighs dramatically and gets up, he walks over to a door right across from the door of his bed "This is my bathroom" he walks over to a standing closet "This is my toy closet" he walks over to his bed "This is my bed, and this is mister snufflekins" he says grabbing a giraffe toy possesively before walking over to a large door, similar to the bathroom door, right next to the head of his bed and opening it slightly, enough to show the walls lined with clothed "And this is my clothes closet. Now can you tell us a story already?"

I found the small entitled little boy pouting in front of me quite adorable, the poor parenting choices aren't his fault anyways "Sure thing! Go back to your seat, I'll sit on your bed if you don't mind." I say sweetly as he groans and rolls his eyes "Ugh finally! Whatever whatever just start with the story!" he says impatiently, sitting on his cushion as I take a seat cross legged on the bed "Alright then! Now I've got a little story about a young little kid and their best friend, everyone thought this strange child was crazy because nobody could see their best friend! He was a tall man in a large furry coat with a BIIIIG hat and bright red hair, kinda like a fire truck! His name was Jason and he was the ringmaster, the leader, of a fantastical carnival! Rides you could only dream of seeing at six flags, cool yet creepy performers and he himself even did an amazing lion taming act! He used to take this child, his best friend, on many grand adventures, introduced them to his quite creepy friends who were actually kind when you got to know them! And that little kid told him that when they were older they would marry him and stay by his side forever! But he told them that that wasn't possible, that he couldn't do that to them, and that eventually he would have to leave and they would eventually forget him. One day, it was time, the child wasn't so much a child anymore, they were becoming a teenager and it was time for Jason to leave but through all the child's crying they convinced him to leave something to remember him by, and so he left them a little key pendant. He told them it was the key to his door, a little blue door leading into his world, and that one day he'd come back for them and then they could be together whenever they wanted to be. But alas the child, turned teenager, now became an adult, and still they wait for Jason who never returned."

"That was so sad!" A little girl named Milly piped up "THAT SUCKED!" Ricky yelled "Well, everything except for Jason- Jason is awesome!" I smiled at the kids as they ranted and raved about Jason and I fidget with my little gold Key pendant "Yeah...Jason is awesome." "Do you ever think that the poor kid met Jason again?" Milly asked me "...I don't know kiddo..it's just a story Jason isn't-"

I'm cut off as hands sneak around my waist, caressing me gently as I glance towards the closet door, a little blue door visible through the clothes, I couldn't help the tears falling as one of the hands moved up to fidget with the key on my neck and a head rests on my shoulder...how...I never even felt the bed dip..it can't be-

"I thought I told you you could come visit at any time silly"

That...little..annoying transatlantic accent...if the faces of the children didn't give it away then that voice did.

"Jason?.."

@sketchist-art

[itsblasttothepast]

OMG I saw a post and I had an epiphany! Good Luck, Babe! is literally Checo's song right now. Warning: a self-indulgent rant incoming (sorry).

"It's fine, it's cool. You can say that we are nothing, but you know the truth."

Like how RBR treated Sergio as if he was the only one responsible for the bad results and made it look like he never did anything for them, like he didn't help them win the Championships. And he received all that with a smile.

"And guess I'm the fool, With her arms out like an angel through the car sunroof."

They made him the scapegoat for all the problems and did everything to focus on Sergio's performance to turn the attention away from the scandal and he didn't say anything, just kept on trying and giving feedback and talking positively about the team.

"I don't wanna call it off, But you don't wanna call it love."

How he said he wants to retire with RBR but they kept on changing the narrative, doing nothing about the rumours and even feeding them as of he was completely insignificant and never achieved anything. And the last interview when he said he might not go beyond 2026...

"You can kiss a hundred boys in bars."

All the talk about his seat, all the people keeping on finding new candidates for his replacement. Horner talking about George and Daniel, Helmut talking about a rookie, all those rumours and speculations and the media frenzy and he was left alone to deal with all that.

"You can say it's just the way you are, Make a new excuse, another stupid reason."

Every time people said it's just how RBR works when talking about Sergio being fired after Mexican GP and comparing his situation to Gasly's or Alex's. All the times they lied about the upgrades and why the pace was gone, how they KNEW the car was not working and still tried to shift the blame.

"You're standing face to face with "I told you so", You know I hate to say, "I told you so""

All the times he talked about the problems and went ignored and mocked by people only for Horner to admit they knew about all the issues but they waited for Max's performance to drop too?

Am I delusional? Yes, but this was fun. Sorry again.

Oh, don't you dare apologize, anon! This was so inspiring! Your epiphany is so spot on!

First of all, I hadn't heard the song before, so thank you for introducing me to it (I think I heard the chorus somewhere, but not sure).

I honestly feel like the song summarizes perfectly Checo's journey with this hell team. He tries his best and receives nothing, is so heartbreaking, the fact that they don't protect him from all the hate and speculations, and apparently the only one who cares is Max, since has been defending him interview after interview.

You are amazing anon, truly showed Checo's struggles and how even RBR feeds the hate and use Checo as the scapegoat, he deserves so much better, I don't think he imagined his season would turn up like this when he signed for the next two years, and now I wonder if he regrets it, even if he says that he's still 100% with the team. I wish he could go to Audi, or some other team that values him; Horner is such a hypocrite, saying he has been 'patient', knowing fully well the car was shit and blaming Checo for the underperformance.

I hate Horner and Marko with all my soul, but that's another topic.

Thank you for sharing this amazing analysis, I won't lie to you, I teared up a little bit when I heard the song and read your ask, because it's not fair! Checo is one of the nicest and warm drivers around, to be treated this way... ugh... 😡😡😡

But also, after been a fan of F1 for many years, I know it's not a fair sport, and people get screwed over, it just sucks.

You are not delusional at all! You are a genius, and if you want to create a soundtrack about this, please share it! Because I feel there are many songs that fit Checo's journey in this hell team.

Hugs for you anon, thank you so much for this amazing ask! I bow to you.

I wish we could always see Checo like this:

[aceri1485]

Fired (Pt. 2)

Pt 1 here!

Xiumin x Reader

key words: backstage, concert, stage hand, smut (18+, read at own risk — consensual, oral (male receiving), unprotected), fluff (does this count as fluff?), slow burn

authors note: uhh merry christmas I guess haha (1) this is purely fiction, please don’t be delusional and no I don’t think this would ever happen irl (2) protagonist (ie. the reader) gender is ambiguous on purpose, I want anyone to be able to read this and enjoy (3) I'm enjoying writing this more than I was expecting, soooo maybe part 3???

-----

"Hellooo - can you hear me?" your radio crackles from your waistband.

You stifle a yawn before grabbing your radio to reply, "Yes, I'm here! Sorry! I'm on my way."

"Oh good - thank you!" You hear the relief in Sam's voice, "Come find me when you're done!"

"Will do" you reply, then turn your attention back to the makeup artist, Jose, who had been talking your ear off for nearly 15 minutes before Sam's radio message interrupted you.

"Oh - I guess you have to go," Jose blushes, "I'm sorry, I know you must be busy, I just - nobody has really asked us what we..."

"What you need to do your job?" you finish the sentence, smiling gently at Jose, "I'm sorry if it seems like we haven't been paying attention to you before, the stage hands have been a little short staffed at the other concerts."

"No - no, that's not what I.." Jose blushed even more, "I didn't mean to imply you weren't doing your job before, I'm trying to say... I'm saying that I appreciate how hard you are working now and that I am grateful we have someone like you to support us."

You blink, surprised, and feel your own cheeks and ears getting hot. It was true - you had been working hard since Sam promoted you. That was three shows ago now, and while the team had been saying thank you, you hadn't truly felt like your extra effort had been noticed or appreciated.

Your radio crackles again, another staff member asking for Sam's approval on some other matter, bringing your attention back.

"I will do my best to get you what you need." you say to Jose, before going to run to your next task. You stop, though, and gently put your hand on Jose's, "and... thanks."

Jose locks eyes with you and smiles, "No, thank you - I'll see you later?"

You smile back, "See you later!"

Now you turn and jog down the hall, off to meet with one of the stylists for an emergency clothing shopping spree, but not before you catch sight of an achingly familiar figure passing across the hall in front of you.

Your body has an involuntary response, the blush in your cheeks deepening, but you force your mind not to wander and focus on the task at hand.

Arriving at the backstage door, you are surprised to find not only the stylist, but a manager and a tall man in a bucket hat and mask waiting for you. They greet you, smiling, as you head out the door together.

"Mr. Park - why are you coming with us?" you ask, smiling as his eyes widen in surprise, "What - you didn't think that so-called disguise is going to fool anyone, did you?" you laugh.

While it was true that you had come to know the members more and more since you had been working as a part of their core team over the past month, it was also true that anyone who had ever seen even a bad drawing of Chanyeol before would recognize him now.

"Hey, it's better than nothing!" Chanyeol shoots back as you hold the car door open for him. He slides in and you close the door, running around to get in on the other side. Luckily, the concert is still hours away, and any fans that are already lurking around are all at the entrance to the arena.

The last time one of the members had tried to join an outing like this before a concert, the police had to be called to stop fans from blocking the backstage door to let them get back inside the venue. So long as nobody knew Chanyeol was gone, nobody would be desperate enough to stake out the door to try and see him when you go back this time.

"I had to come so I can try on whatever we pick out," Chanyeol says as you buckle your seatbelts, "I didn't want to, I know how complicated it could get if someone sees me."

"Don't lie!" the stylist laughs from the front seat, "I told you I would bring back different sizes for you to try!"

"Yeah," the manager chimes in from the front seat, "I distinctly remember the conversation going something along the lines of "ahh I'm so bored, when will I ever-" hey, put that back on!" he cuts off as Chanyeol throws his bucket hat at him, "and be careful, I'm driving!"

Any tension the team had about a last minute outing melts away as you laugh, and the conversation turns to finding a good place to pick up coffee near the store the stylist wants to go to. As Chanyeol and the manager debate whether the members need coffee before a show, you pull out your phone to message Sam that you are on your way.

Distracted for a few minutes as you message back and forth with various team members, each putting in coffee requests or asking you to grab this or that, your attention gets pulled back to the conversation when you hear Xiumin's name.

Looking up, you see that Chanyeol was watching you. He smiles at you, too knowingly, and says "Sam would know, I think Xiumin told her after the last show."

"What was that?" you ask, trying to keep your expression clear, and looking anywhere but Chanyeol's face.

"Did he say something about his shoes being too big last show?" the stylist asked, not noticing - or pretending not to notice - the large grin on Chanyeol's face as he looked at you.

"Oh, no - the shoes fit fine," you say, "they needed new laces, the old ones were frayed and so they weren't staying tied" you explain, looking out the window in what you hoped was a non-chalant manner.

"Lets add laces to the list then," the stylist adds, "How could I have missed that? You're a life saver, thank you!"

"Don't mention it," you say, "And I already picked up some extra laces.. and changed out the old ones in Xiumin's shoes."

"When did you have time to do that?" the stylist turns to look at you.

"Oh, I... stayed late after the last show." you mumble, refusing to look at anyone in the car.

The stylist smiles, "You work way too hard, you know that?" laughing as they turn back in their seat, "I hope you know we all appreciate it!"

You're grateful that you can blame your blush on receiving your second compliment of the day rather than the thoughts of why you had really stayed so late after the last show.

It was the first time you and Xiumin had been able to be truly alone since... well, since that first night.

"Are you cold?" he asks, the corners of his eyes creased with concern, "Here, put this on."

He pulls off his jean jacket to wrap around your shoulders. The streetlight casts shadows of your sillouettes infront of you as you walk- a shadow couple, picture perfect, other worldly. You smile in thanks, pulling the jacket closer around you. It had to be nearly 3am already, the two of you had stayed at the arena talking for hours after the everyone else had left.

Your arms brush together as you walk, Xiumin's hands shoved into his pockets, a blush forming on his cheeks where his face is visible behind his black facemask, matching the pink tinge of your ears. Your shadows bump into eachother, at times overlapping, rarely a gap between them.

You both realize the hotel is less than half a block away at the same time and it's like you're suddenly walking in molasses. Your shadows crawl along the sidewalk ahead of you, shrinking into one another then growing full again as you pass between one streetlight to another.

At the door of the hotel, you both stop, not making eye contact with each other.

"Do you want-"

"Maybe another-"

You start speaking at the same time, turning to look at each other, breaking off just as quickly and turning away again, flushing.

"You f-"

"What did yo-"

And the tension breaks, both of you laughing.

"You go" you say, marvelling at the way the light streaming out from the hotel windows makes his eyes sparkle. You longed to pull off his mask so you could see how the light would catch on the rest of his face, with its simultaneously sharp angles and soft edges.

He won't look at you, instead staring at your shoes, but his hands come up and hold your elbows, "Maybe another... another lap around the block?" he asks.

You stop yourself from sighing in relief, anything to make the night last longer, just another few minutes-

You're pulled away from your thoughts by Chanyeol waving his hand in front of your face “Helloooo?"

You’ve arrived at a small shopping area and the manager is bragging about his great parking job.

"Oh, sorry," you smile, "I was just trying to - uh - remember everyone's coffee orders."

The stylist and manager hurry to usher Chanyeol into a store across the street, leaving you to actually try and remember everyone's coffee orders, entering a small cafe. It isn't busy, thankfully, but you apologize to the barista for the number of drinks you order nonetheless.

"Two iced americanos, 4 hot americanos, one vanilla latte..." you prattle off almost a dozen drinks and pay, "Sorry again - is it just you working today?"

"Yes, just me, but don't apologize!" the barista smiles at you, "I love a bit of a challenge."

"How so?" You ask, making small talk as they start working on the drinks.

"Oh, I love to see if I can pull double shots, or pour milk with one hand while steaming another round" the barista laughs, "like rubbing my head and patting my stomach... or is it the other way around?"

Both laughing, you keep chatting, realizing you have a similar taste in music when the song playing in the cafe changes, comparing your favourite types of teas and the best place to go for kimbap in the neighbourhood.

The barista smiles shyly, tucking their hair behind their ear, as you watch them work on the last drink, "Could I maybe get your..."

They trail off as Chanyeol bursts through the door, a whirlwind of energy not at all contained by his large frame, the manager close behind him.

"Almost ready?" the manager asks you and you nod, greeting them both before turning back to the barista.

"What were you saying?" you ask as they slide the last drink to you over the counter.

"Oh, its nothing!" they look flustered, clearly recognizing Chanyeol, who is now waiting by the register to order, "But - uh - if you're ever in the neighbourhood again, you should stop by. I'll make you one on the house," they say, recovering a bit and turning their attention back to you.

"Oh, I-" you break off as Chanyeol pointedly clears his throat and looks at his watch. The barista nods to you and hurries back over to the register to take Chanyeol's order.

Sighing, you slump into a seat across from the manager, the drinks you ordered filling the table in front of you. It turns out that Chanyeol had been accepting orders from the members while you were collecting orders for the staff and so the barista gets to work preparing another 9 drinks.

“We’d better hurry back after this,” the manager says, anxious, “Of course the big oaf gets recognized...”

-----

There are still 3 hours to showtime after you finish distributing coffee to the other stage hands, but there is still a never ending list of tasks waiting for you all before the show can start.

The crew and dancers walk through an entire sound and lighting check, one of the stylists has to be taken to the hospital for stitches after a mishap with a sewing needle, and Sehun’s earpiece has gone missing.

That’s how you find yourself in a back closet the crew was using as temporary storage, surrounded by boxes full of extra props and pieces of audio equipment. Your back to the door, bent at the waist to dig in the bottom of a particularly large box, you hear rather than see someone enter the closet behind you, just as-

“YES! It’s here!” You say triumphantly, shooting your hand into the air, clutching the small box containing Sehun’s earpiece.

Sighing in relief that there was at least one problem solved, you freeze when you hear the reply from behind you.

“What did you find?” Chanyeol says.

You turn around in an instant, surprise clear on your face, “Chan- I mean, Mr. Park? Sorry, I though you were Sam.”

He smiles and holds up his hands, “Just me - sorry to disappoint.”

“What are you doing here?” You ask, slightly anxious, “Did something else happen?”

“Something else?” He asks, confused, “Is there a problem?”

You bite your lip, cursing to yourself that you forgot how the staff tried their best to hide small issues from the members before the shows so they could focus on getting ready.

Forcing a smile, you say and hold up the box again, “No, not anymore - we’re good! What do you need?”

“Oh, I was.. I was hoping to talk to you actually” he says, trying to catch your eye to gauge your response.

Oh god, not now! You think to yourself, I don’t have time for this right now - actually, I don’t have time for this ever, I can’t loose this job!

“If this is.. what I think it is, then..” you take a deep breath and meet his gaze, “it’s not what it-“

“Looks like?” he finishes your sentence for you, giving you a hard look.

You set your jaw.

Chanyeol sighs, his shoulders relaxing, breaking eye contact and half turning away, “That’s too bad then. Because it looks like Xiumin is happier than I’ve seen him in years.”

Your jaw falls open.

Chanyeol turns to leave, then pauses with his hand on the closet door. “I just wanted to say..” he looks back at you over his shoulder, “He’s serious about you, about continuing whatever this “doesn’t look like” after the tour, and I hope.. I hope you don’t hurt him. I saw the way you were with that barista, and don’t pretend you don’t see how Jose looks at you.”

The elevator dings, but neither of you move to get off it. Instead, you both stand at the door, looking out down to the end of the hall.

The door slides shut, and you didn’t get off.

“I’ll just.. take you up to your room first.” You say, looking down at your shoes, hands clutching the hem Xiumin’s jean jacket still draped over your shoulders.

“Okay.. thanks.” He says, voice low. The elevator continues up, and his hand finds yours, pulling your grip from his jacket to intertwine your fingers.

The elevator dings again, but still neither of you move to get off, until the door starts to slide shut again. Xiumin puts out a hand to stop it, his other still holding yours.

Holding the door open, he steps off, but as you go to draw your hand away, he holds on even tighter, pulling you off the elevator with him.

“Xiumin...” you whisper, fully aware that the other members and the managers are staying on this floor as well, digging in your heels a bit to stop him from pulling you further down the hall as the elevator doors slide shut behind you.

He stops, but doesn’t look back at you. Instead, you feel his hand squeeze yours, and he whispers back “…please”.

You couldn’t have stood there more than 30 seconds after Chanyeol left but it felt more like a whole day before you shook it off. Gathering yourself again to the task at hand, you try not to think about how Chanyeol’s voice broke, “I hope you don’t hurt him.”

Radioing ahead to let Sam know you found Sehun’s earpiece, you practically sprint out of the closet.

Handing over the box to one of the managers, you remember the items Jose had asked you for earlier in the day and go to collect what you can.

It’s an hour to the show by the time you’re able to stop by the dressing room and check in with Jose after being sidetracked by different problems and tasks. You knock and enter the the dressing room after hearing Jose yell “Come in!”

You push open the door, balancing a small box full of different things Jose had asked for - a fresh lightbulb for the mirror, a new package of makeup wipes, spray bottle with water - and enter the room.

You quickly scan the room, taking in the manager sitting on the couch engaged in a phone call, Baekhyun holding up two shirts in front of a mirror while two stylists argue over which colour to go for and Chen sitting in front of the makeup mirrors while another stylist attacked his hair with a brush and gel.

But your heart doesn’t jump up into your throat until your eyes land on the one man you were hoping to find here. He’s sitting in front of the makeup mirror beside Chen, eyes closed as Jose attempts to dab some slightly glittery eye shadow on him without getting glitter everywhere else.

“Oh my GOD, you’re the best!” Jose says, seeing what you’re carrying, and Xiumin opens his eyes, “Xiumin, don’t you agree?” Jose grabs the box from you to push onto the counter infront of Xiumin, “I asked for all this this morning, I can’t believe you remembered everything!”

Looking at you in the mirror, Xiumin smiles “Yes.. you’re the best” he says quietly.

The subtext is thankfully lost on Jose who playfully smacks him on the arm, “I asked if you agreed but I did not say that you could open your eyes!”

You and Jose chat for a bit, Jose fluttering around Xiumin and Chen, finishing both of their makeup, while Chen and Xiumin start their own conversation. Baekhyun joins in a third chair, the stylists finally having come to a compromise and finding a completely different third shirt for him to wear.

Sounds of the crowd filing into the arena filter in, growing louder as the time passes. Down the hall, you hear the staff laughing in the common area, many of them trying to eat a quick dinner before the show starts.

Soon Sam checks in with you over your radio and you go to pop your head into the other dressing rooms, giving the 15 minute warning and checking that nobody needs anything last minute.

Another stage hand comes by to usher the members to the stage. You follow behind them in the hallway, trying to stay out of the way of dancers rushing to get to the stage and makeup artists trying to apply last minute touch ups to the members.

In the chaos, you find yourself beside Xiumin for a couple of seconds, just long enough for him to look at you and smile, your hands to brush and a wave of goose bumps to rush down your spine. With his makeup done, contacts in and his shirt unbuttoned like that, he is breathtakingly beautiful. Then he’s gone, carried forward by the wave of commotion heading toward the stage, toward the rising sound of cheers - no, screams - and the swell of the music.

You gasp, finally coming up for air, the rise and fall of your breath matching his, like two people who were underwater for too long. He meets your eyes, a low moan falling from his lips.

“Please, baby” he breathes out, “Please keep going.”

You blow cool air on his cock, moving your hand up and down, tantalizingly slow, enjoying the way his hips squirm as he tries to increase the friction and the way the storm in his eyes builds. One of his hands brushes your hair away from your eyes, gently. But the other grasps the sheets of the bed, muscles in his forearms taught and the veins in his hand jumping up, like he’s holding back the ocean with one hand.

You place your hand over his, releasing his grip on the sheets and intertwining your fingers at the same time as you lower your mouth back around his cock. He can’t hold back the loud gasp, or help the way his hips buck. The hand that one second ago was so tenderly brushing back your hair now pushes your head down.

Saliva fills your mouth as you try not to gag, taking as much of him into your mouth as you can with each push down of his hand. His fingers tangle in your hair as he guides you. You suck and swirl your tongue, glancing up at him every now and then. He can’t look away from you, he’s transfixed. It fuels your own arousal, and you move one hand down to touch yourself. Your other hand is still holding his, two drowning people clasping onto each other like a lifeline.

“Shit, I’m-“ he says, hips bucking again, “Fuck, don’t stop..”

Your name, mixed in with a string of curse words, falls from his mouth as he gasps for air, his voice deep and breathy at the same time. His hand leaves your hair, flying up behind him to hold on to the headboard. You pick up the pace, abandoning your own pleasure to pump him with your hand lower down his shaft while your use your mouth at his tip.

The wave crashes down and with low yell he releases. You swallow, continuing to work him until he gasps and pulls your head away. Then he pulls you up into a deep, long kiss, and you sigh, relaxing into it, relaxing into him. When you break apart, you pull the cover up over you both and rest your head on his shoulder. He kisses you on the forehead, mumbling something about the time and his alarm going off in a couple hours. Holding each other close, your breathing deep and again in sync, you fall asleep. Faint sunlight breaks through the crack in the curtain at the foot of the bed.

An hour later, the sunlight wakes you up, hitting you in the face. Now strong and bright, it had crept up the bed until it hit you square in the eye. Xiumin still sleeps beside you, his hair falling across his forehead, relaxed and blissfully protected from the sun.

A few moments later, you are closing the door as quietly as possible behind you, dressed but holding your shoes in your hands, ready to tiptoe to the elevator. The door closes and you turn, freezing in place, eyes locked on Chanyeol standing in an open doorway across the hall.

END (P3 maybe?)

[retrobr]

Lazytown Shenanigans Pt. 3

I can state with all confidence that "The Holiday Spirit" episode is one of the best episodes in the whole show. I was smiling like an idiot while watching it and nearly cried out of joy in the end, THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD OMG-

But I need to calm down for a minute.

So,

"The Holiday Spirit."

This episode has very strong found-family vibes in my opinion. I just wasn't able to help myself but feel warm and fuzzy inside when I was watching characters interactions; they are so precious to me... And, as I mentioned in the very first "Lazytown Shenanigans" post, I absolutely adore Christmas atmosphere in the movies and such stuff, so it was the first signal that I might like this episode.

But let's talk about the most important detail of this episode: Robbie's behavior. I just- I- dudes. WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?? HE WAS SO NICE AND SWEET, AND OH MY FREAKING GOD I AM ACTUALLY CRYING BECAUSE OF THIS?? 

He didn't even do anything bad at all. AT ALL. I mean yes, it all started with the fact that he wanted to get a gift, but the whole thing kinda snowballed and after that he started behaving better and better. I mean, he was pretty happy to help Stephanie and other folks, and oh my god, this excitement in his voice when he greeted the gang... 

And the fact that he actually wanted and tried to be nice for once. He didn't do any name-calling or nasty things; he didn't even react to Sportacus' appearance in the house (but we'll talk about it a little later, mmhhmm.) HE EVEN VOLUNTEERED HIMSELF TO COOK A FUCKING TURKEY, AND THE GANG ACTUALLY INVITED HIM TO THE CHRISTMAS PARTY, AND HE WAS SO FREAKING HAPPY!! This once again confirms that people love him even when he acts not that well and he also loves them too, secretly of course. I want to cry this is so precious 😭😭

And the final scene when the kids and others went to his lair to congratulate him personally, and the expression on his face when he saw them all... My heart is melting; I can't stand this amount of adorable interaction between kids and Robbie. God bless them 🥺

Speaking of adorable interactions, I literally shed a small and very manly tear in the scene when Santa visited kids without any presents, and they convinced him that it's totally fine. Santa is just so nice, and I can't stand it when such wonderful and kind characters are sad. I literally want to cry again while writing this (I'm a very sentimental and pathetic creature, you guys should be aware of that lol.)

But let's touch on the topic of a little funny thing. Robbie's turkey knocked out Santa's sleigh. THE WAY I SNORTED WHEN I SAW THIS OMG 😭💀 And Sportacus' reaction like "what the heck was that-" WAS JUST A CHERRY ON TOP I CAN'T-

And finally, my darling beloved Sportacus and Robbie. :]. Their interaction was, oh finally, pretty nice and normal, even from Robbie's part, which surprised me VERY much. As I mentioned before, he didn't even react when Sport appeared in the house to help the gang, and WAIT. About the helping part: the very first person who he helped was exactly Robbie; and please don't tell me that "um, actually Sportacus needed a ladder and Robbie was stuck in this ladder mlem-mlem-mlem 🤓", I WHOLEHEARTEDLY ADORE THOSE DORKS, JUST LET ME BE DELUSIONAL FOR A MINUTE OK?? 

And HOOHEE that moment when Stingy and Robbie didn't appear at the Christmas party, and Sport sent the gang to find Stingy and went to Robbie's lair himself. Sorry I have a heart attack and I can't think straight, but HAHSHJAKA HELLO 😭😭 AND THEN ROBBIE PEEKED OUT OF HIS LAIR AND HIS HAPPY LITTLE "Sportacus 🥹" KILLED ME AND MY POOR DUMB HEART. HE DIDN'T EVEN INSULT HIM. FOR ONCE. I already said that but I want to cry, this episode is a golden one for me

I think I need to stop right here because I can ramble a lot and well. Yeah I should stop. Thanks for your guys attention if you read it till the end, as always :D

[animeloverskylarmoon]

Ryuken Ishida (Bleach) - Oneshot

"You should stop acting so recklessly."

"What are you, my dad? I'm a grown woman."

Although you were saying that, Ryuken knew better. He tapped the alcohol soaked cotton on your cheek and you howled, jumping to your feet.

"Could you be a bit gentler!!! What do you think I am, a wax doll!!"

"I barely touched you."

"LIKE HELL YOU DID!!"

You throw a pillow from the hospital bed, yelling angrily. A nurse came in hurriedly to stop your antics. The uproar was starting to worry some of the other patients.

It's not like this is a brand new occurrence. In all honesty, it wasn't your fault. Life was peaceful before you met the jerk. Two years ago he seemed to appear out of nowhere. You were walking home from the store and like magic a huge monstrous hand just made a grab at you. For a second you thought you were delusional. But when a thin blue light blasted the beast into oblivion, you knew it was reality.

After that, he just told you everything.

Annoyingly calm. As if it wasn't crazy that huge beasts existed and them running around the place trying to devour the spirits of dead people is normal. His aloofness was infuriating. You knew it had more to do with the fact that he was strong. He wasn't afraid. But you were terrified.

So after you taught your classes in the afternoon you worked out. Kickboxing, mix material arts, taekwondo, you did it all. Hence the reason behind your constant bruises.

It was still a leap to take on one of those monsters, but you weren't going to be a sitting duck. So despite his annoying know it all snarky remarks. You keep at it. It didn't matter that some days you come back more sore than usual. You can feel the aches, but that must mean that it's working.

"Ms. (L/N)! You were right, look I passed the exam!!"

One of your former students is holding up a current test and you smile at her excitement. She's not only passed. It seems she's only lost two points. Much better than what she anticipated.

"See, getting that tutor helped. It's not that hard asking for help sometimes is it?"

She shook her head with a broad smile.

"Nope!! I'm going to show Ni-san! Arigatou!!" She's sprinting down the hall and you wave with a little smile.

"Asking for help huh.."

If only you were better at taking your own advice.

Today, you're fortunate to only have one class. Yesterday you'd taken a few more hits than usual. Even your instructor had advised that you take a few days to recuperate. Your chest hurts and last night you'd actually passed out on the couch.

You hate that Ryuken is right. Your body is exhausted. You've been pushing so hard. Walking to your class, you stagger for a second, bracing your hand on the wall.

"Shit.."

Why is your vision getting hazy?

"Damn that..bastard.."

That's the last thing you say before you collapse.

~~

"Why did you call me, surely you are all equipped to handle this."

The nurse shifted nervously.

"Y-Yes sir. We apologize, but this woman is your friend. We were advised to contact you whenever she's admitted. Her injuries are more severe than usual. We may have to call the police."

She passed him the files, and the bruises on your upper arms and torso made his jaw clenched.

"No need. She's been taking self defense classes. I told her to stop being so reckless."

Relief crosses the nurse's face.

"Oh, thank goodness."

"You can leave, I'll handle it from here."

"Y-Yes sir, please excuse me." The woman bowed, exiting the room.

"I know you're awake."

You twitched, turning your head stiffly.

"H-Hey.."

Ryuken just glared, and you sweatdropped.

"L-Listen, I like this as much as you. I'd change hospitals if this place didn't have such a good package. You've got good business skills."

"Don't change the subject. You were so worn out that you passed out right in the hallway of the university. Are you really that stupid?"

His tone pissed you off. You shoved the covers off, standing as you moved to head for the door. He didn't even stop you. Dropping the file on the table nearby, he watched you try to hobble away. You barely got five feet before your body felt like it would collapse. Finally giving up, you stopped at the table, using it as a support.

This was humiliating. You could feel the tears prickling at the corner of your eyes. The droplets hit the desk, and Ryuken went quiet.

"You don't know what it's like..being weak, feeling helpless. I'm a woman, so physically I'm already at a disadvantage. But that night I..I was horrified. I really thought that I was going to die. So if getting knocked around everyday means I'll never have to feel like that again, then I'll take as many punches as I can."

You wiped your cheek angrily, glaring at the file before you.

"I don't know why you're acting anyway. You don't even care."

It must be nice feeling untouchable.

"I do."

You rolled your eyes to retaliate, but he was no longer standing at a distance. He flash stepped right to your side. You jump at the appearance. Ryuken presses his hands against the desk. You mean to say something, but words fail. It's not often that you see any kind of emotion on his face.

"You were wrong, there are things that scare me."

His gaze looks so earnest, almost vulnerable, and you stammer. Usually you have a retort to everything he says, but today, you're at a loss.

"R-Ryu.."

His palm brushes away the remnants of a stain from your cheek, and your eyes shake.

"Please, be careful from now on."

You just nod dumbly.

"I-I will.."

It's hard to say much else. You assume that he's made his point and he'll leave to let you get some rest, but you're shocked when he picks you up. A squeak escapes your lips as he holds your bridal style.

"W-What are you doing!!"

"I need to give you a thorough physical exam to make sure you're fine."

"W-WHAT DO YOU MEAN THOROUGH!! P-PUT ME DOWN!! K-KYA!!"

This man is a menace.

[nygmobblepot-trash]

Oh so they're just going to pretend like last episode didn't happen and go straight to finding Sylvie.

Cool.

(Rant)

Mobius and Loki almost died and we aren't going to get even a scene showing the aftermath??? Wasn't Mobius hit by the temporal aura (whatever it's called)? Didn't Mobius ask what took so long? Didn't Loki explain why he said they needed to find Sylvie after time slipping? No one said anything? Or am I supposed to believe Mobius wouldn't lose his absolute shit when he found out he almost died because Loki was too busy making googly eyes at Sylvie.

Ok. Ok. Maybe to be fair they really said nothing. In E1 Loki told Mobius very little what happened at the end of time. In E2 we see Mobius burying his feelings hard--even worse than Loki. But at least show that. Mobius in E2 seemed completely different. I get he's probably putting on an act because he really doesn't want to think about his life but come on.

Actually you know what? I think he was putting on an act for the whole episode. Call me delusional but I don't care. In the beginning, Mobius seems really happy to be looking for Sylvie. I think that was true but for other reasons. It's clear Mobius doesn't want anything to change. He doesn't want to think of a life he could've had so he needs to keep being an analyst. Before shit hit the fan that was searching for Sylvie. The whole thing is a game for him. It's why Loki was so serious and Mobius didn't really seem to care. He rather have a drink with Brad and play games. Normally Mobius wouldn't be so easily fooled but he was while Loki was the one paying attention. He's obviously going through the motions. He's happy again when he and Loki are trying to figure out the TemPad. Of course, it doesn't last long as the interrogation follows.

Let's talk about the interrogation. God I want to talk about it so bad because what the fuck. So Mobius warns Loki that Brad is an asshole (Mobius keeps swearing and I'm so here for it) and to not lose his temper. So I immediately think okay Loki is going to go off on this dude because why not? He'll do anything for Sylvie. The gang walks in and Mobius did not lie at all. Brad goes off on everyone. He's laying into Loki the most of course while Mobius keeps trying to keep Loki calm. Brad's speech also mimics several conversations Loki and Mobius had in S1. Brad basically says what Mobius said to Loki in S1. He drills that Loki is a villain and only brings suffering and pain but instead of twisting it around like Mobius did it changes into something that Loki yelled at Mobius towards the end of S1. Brad doesn't twist it into something hopeful or give Loki a choice no he tells Loki that at the end of the day he's lying to himself, that he can't play the hero. Yes that isn't exactly what Loki said to Mobius but it's eerily similar to the "lies you tell yourself" in S1. I understand if that made no sense but I'm just saying that it's super interesting to see the difference between Mobius and Brad.

Anyways so Loki starts to spiral and it seems like he's going to say fuck it. They even cut to Mobius's concerned face. I do love though that no matter what happened Mobius let Loki take the lead. Yes, he kept butting in but it seemed like he was reminding Loki that it was okay. It was like his way of proving Brad wrong. He was trying to tell Loki he trusted him and that he was with him.

I will say that Brad said the one thing I'm sure everyone in that room was thinking, "You're too obsessed with her. You need therapy." Honestly Brad you were so real for that. But he wasn't done yet. This man then had the audacity to tell Mobius to control his pet. And Mobius smiles and tells a fucking joke about Brad disappearing?? And Loki smiles at it?? I'm sorry but what is going on? Mobius I love you. I was so disappointed that they didn't let Mobius lead the interrogation because he would've rocked it. But Loki failed so Mobius said fuck it and did not disappoint. He literally got one line in and it was telling Brad he's going to disappear with a smile on his face. Mobius is ruthless.

This is where we circle back to the point I was making before... several paragraphs ago... I'm sorry. Brad goes off on Mobius and Mobius takes it for a little bit. You can tell what Brad is saying is getting to him. He's making points that even Loki is reacting too. Points that Loki should've talked to Mobius about already. It seemed like Loki was just then realizing that Mobius hadn't brought up his life at all. That Mobius had been acting like nothing was happening. Which was interesting to see. Finally, Loki seems to pay attention to Mobius for 5 seconds. Of course that's interrupted by Mobius slapping the hell out of Brad. Thus making it clear Mobius has been freaking out for a while but hiding it. They were both probably having a panic attack at the same time. The whole time Loki was running around in a panic Mobius put his fears aside and focused on Loki. It's incredibly sad. Did he feel he couldn't confide in Loki? It really hurts that this poor man had his world turn upside down and not once did Loki bother to ask him about it. Loki had to think it was odd that Mobius just stopped trying to burn down the TVA. Mobius deserves better.

I am happy that Loki stopped worrying about Sylvie for 2 seconds to chase after Mobius who clearly wasn't okay in the slightest. "He got under your skin" and "I was following you" Sir? Do you even know where you're at? Loki's dumbass doesn't know what to do either and takes Mobius to get some pie. As if that's going to fix anything. Mobius admits he lost it a little bit and Loki tries to relate and uses the battle of New York as an example of a time he lost it. ??? I'm sorry? Honey, Mobius punching someone isn't the same as you trying to conquer a city. You suck at this. Thankfully Loki cares enough to dig into why Mobius has no desire to at the very least see what his life could be like. Honestly, though Mobius's answer makes sense. Of course, he doesn't want to know. He's all about free will and deciding your own path. Why would he care what path he was on? It's a path he was supposed to be on but now he isn't. He got to escape the sacred timeline, he has always seen that as a blessing which is why he fought so hard to rescue Loki. The thing that annoys me though is Loki moves on so fast. I get he probably respects Mobius's decision. After all, if he saw a happy life that was taken from him that would suck. But why not ask what Mobius really wants to do? No one would blame Mobius if he got up and left. He now has the free will to do whatever he wants and yet he stays at the TVA. It would have been interesting for Loki to point out that Brad was kind of right. That it isn't healthy to pretend like nothing happened. I could see Mobius getting angry and pointing out that technically Loki is hiding from his reality as well. But of course, we can't spend too much time developing Mobius or his relationship with Loki, we have to get back to Sylvie.

Interrogation 2 happens and they finally get the info they wanted. The whole time I was thinking "damn this really seems like a Mobius plan," only to be proven right. Of course, Mobius immediately jumps to torturing Brad and calls it a "little bit of mischief". Again I have to ask, sir are you okay? Mobius is fucking terrifying.

I think the answer is no. When they take Brad to McDonald's Mobius is acting strange again. He's snapped back into acting like everything is okay. He ignores Sylvie and Loki talking and is being nice to Brad -- the man he punched within the last 10 minutes). Mobius is petty and as we now know hides his feelings until he explodes. He is clearly trying to distract himself with the food. Brad starts to freak out and Mobius tries to dismiss it but can't by saying that the relationship (between Loki and Sylvie) is complicated. But his petty ass can't stop there and adds that opposites attract in the same breath as him saying that Loki is in a relationship with themself. Mobius is really out there saying that opposites attract and Loki and Sylvie aren't opposites. Brad then says it's weird and I'm waiting for Mobius to agree but this man goes, "hey isn't it cool that 10 minutes ago you said I was nothing and then I punched you and got a God to torture you?" Mobius are you good? For the love of jetskis stop deflecting. You can't just torture Brad again because you're too much of a coward to talk to Loki. I will say good on Mobius for figuring out it was a trap. The slap on Brad's arm and the angry "Hey!" Will live in my mind for far too long. Like I said Mobius is scary as hell.

Lastly, I want to talk about the end (yes I'm almost done with my rant -- yay!). I hate that Sylvie continues to be pissed at Loki and the whole TVA. Loki and the others are trying their best. She didn't give them a chance. She just made a decision for everyone else and got pissy when they couldn't fix her mess. Honestly fuck right off. That's all I want to say about her. Anyways the thing that broke my heart was Loki saying, "Please, don't. It's harder to stay." I'm sorry but what the fuck does that even mean? Maybe I'm interpreting this wrong but does he mean that if she isn't around it's hard for him to stay at the TVA? If I'm right, then what the actual hell? Your friend Mobius is hanging on by a thread and you want to abandon him? You're all he has. He isn't close with hunter B15, OB, and Casey like he is with you. Mobius never once abandoned Loki. And yea I get that he does go over to Mobius and puts his hand on his shoulder but he only does it after getting rejected yet again by Sylvie. Hell Mobius probably just heard that Loki doesn't want to stick around. Are you seriously telling me that Loki is just using the TVA and Mobius to find Sylvie? At least last episode he wanted to go find her and fix the mess that she made.

Please stop chasing after someone who doesn't care about you in the slightest.